CM announces sops for horticulture farmers
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced several sops for horticulture farmers, including special markets and financial support. He emphasised the adoption of Israeli agricultural techniques and revealed plans to send young farmers to Israel for advanced training.
“Haryana and Israel share similar climatic conditions, making Israeli technology highly beneficial for us. We are integrating these techniques in fruit, vegetable, flower farming, and beekeeping. Our skilled youth will gain hands-on experience in Israel and apply their knowledge back home,” he said while addressing the valedictory function of the Mega Vegetable Expo at the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Gharaunda on Sunday.
Highlighting the government's commitment to increasing farmers’ income, he reiterated a 19.2 per cent hike in the agriculture budget. He inspected modern vegetable farming techniques, interacted with farmers, and praised those involved in innovation.
He announced the construction of a hostel and seminar hall at the Centre of Excellence and honoured 74 progressive farmers. On Shaheedi Diwas, he paid homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru.
He also released the ‘Haryana Horticulture’ magazine, and visited an agricultural exhibition. Accompanied by Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand, Assandh MLA Yogendra Rana, and other dignitaries, Saini praised farmers for breaking away from traditional cropping patterns and embracing modern techniques to enhance productivity.
The CM highlighted the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, which ensured MSP for 21 horticultural crops, benefiting 25,000 farmers with over Rs 7,600 crore in financial support. He also announced 50%-85% subsidies for setting up polyhouses, net houses, and walking tunnels.
Saini also said the government was investing over Rs 510 crore under the Horticulture Crop Cluster Development Programme to establish 140 fruit and vegetable collection centres. Each cluster would have a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), with 300 members and an integrated pack house. Farmers would receive 50%-85% subsidies for orchards and vegetable farming, and 40%-85% for mushroom farming.
To boost beekeeping, an Integrated Bee Development Centre had been set up at Ramnagar, Kurukshetra, in collaboration with Israel. Additionally, an international fruit and vegetable market in Ganaur, an apple market in Pinjore, a flower market in Gurugram, and a spice market in Sonepat were being developed. Three centres—for litchi (Ambala), strawberry (Yamunanagar), and date palm (Hisar)—would be established in the upcoming fiscal year.
The Speaker emphasised the need for short-term agricultural training at Indo-Israel centres, while Rana urged farmers to focus on environmental changes.
