Chandigarh, August 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat has directed officials to address the issues faced by potato growers and cold storage owners on priority, while stressing the need to accelerate ongoing projects aimed at strengthening the state’s horticulture sector and increasing farmers’ income.
Bhagat issued the directions during a review meeting with senior officials of the Horticulture Department in Chandigarh on Thursday to assess the progress of horticulture-related initiatives and development projects across Punjab.
Administrative Secretary, Horticulture Department, Arshdeep Singh Thind, and Director Horticulture Manish Kumar briefed the minister on the department’s ongoing work and the status of various projects.
The meeting included detailed discussions on the Rs 1,300-crore special project proposed in Punjab with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The ‘Apna Pind–Apna Bagh’ initiative and the Horticulture Development Centre were also reviewed.
Bhagat instructed officials to ensure that concerns of potato farmers and cold storage operators are resolved without delay. He also called for expediting the completion of departmental projects so that their intended benefits reach farmers at the earliest.
The minister emphasised the importance of encouraging farmers to take up allied activities alongside conventional agriculture to further strengthen horticulture and diversify farm incomes.
He said government initiatives for horticulture development must be implemented effectively at the grassroots level, with a focus on ensuring that farmers receive tangible benefits from the schemes and projects being undertaken by the state government.
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