Horticulture research institute yet to see light of day

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 14

Despite a keen interest shown by Japanese international companies in mutual trade in the sector of horticulture during the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit held in Mohali last month, the Centre and the state government seem to be unenthusiastic about setting up a PG institute of horticulture research and education here at the earliest. The government had announced the establishment of the institute here in 2015.

Kulwant Singh, patron, Amritsar Vikas Manch, said, "During the summit, Yoji Taguchi, chairman and MD of Mitsubishi Corporation India Pvt. Limited, had stated that Japan was interested in collaboration in various sectors, including horticulture. However, delay on the part of the government in providing world-class infrastructure is hampering development of agriculture in the state."

“Due to the lackadaisical attitude of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi, the establishment of sanctioned horticultural research and education institution is yet to see the light of day despite the fact that the Punjab government has transferred 100 acres of fertile land at Attari village in the name of ICAR,” he added.

It is learnt that the state government has also identified the required land for the establishment of administrative and residential blocks at Chhiddan village on the Amritsar-Attari road.

Kuljit Singh, a progressive farmer, said, “Amritsar is one of the top most visited cities by tourists in the world and setting up a national horticulture institute will provide them an opportunity to get an insight into its agrarian development. The government encourages farmers to opt for crop diversification, but due to lack of such an institute, the goal of crop diversification has remained unachievable so far. The horticulture institute will help farmers enhance their income.”

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