Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today unveiled a series of major announcements to promote innovation in the horticulture sector. He said that Master’s Degree and Ph.D. programmes will also be started in new subjects such as Post-Harvest Management, Plant Pest Control and Diseases. He dedicated 14 Horticulture Science Centres to Maharana Pratap Horticulture University and said that these centres will play a significant role in delivering the latest technologies, quality planting material and scientific guidance to farmers.
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the National Conference organised by Maharana Pratap Horticulture University, Karnal and Lieutenant Amit Memorial Foundation. The conference is based on the theme “Strategic Paradigm of Quality Seeds and Planting Material for Horticultural Crops in Amritkaal.”
During the event, the Chief Minister honoured horticulture scientists and progressive farmers with shields, shawls and certificates of appreciation. Vice Chancellor of the Horticulture University, Dr. Suresh Kumar Malhotra, also honoured the Chief Minister, MLAs and other guests by presenting them with a statue of Maharana Pratap.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. The country produces more than 360 million tonnes of horticultural produce annually. Today, India is among the world leaders in the production of fruits such as mango, banana, guava and pomegranate, as well as vegetables including potato and onion. However, despite high production, the country continues to suffer major economic losses due to deficiencies in quality, grading, disease-free planting material and post-harvest management.
He informed that the foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 9, 2024. In such a short time, the university has achieved remarkable milestones. Whether in education, research or farmer services, the institution has established a distinct identity. The technologies developed here, training programmes and continuous interaction with farmers are giving new energy and momentum to Haryana’s horticulture revolution.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 before the nation, and this vision is not limited to economic development alone. It is a vision of self-reliant agriculture, nutritional security, scientific innovation and prosperity for crores of farmers.
The Chief Minister said that the world now recognises that quality seeds and planting material can increase agricultural productivity by 15 to 25 percent. Therefore, there is a need to focus on quality planting material, scientific management and modern supply chains. He said that the hard work of farmers and research by scientists made the country self-reliant in food grain production. However, changing times demand new approaches. With small landholdings, declining groundwater levels, climate change and rising costs, farmers’ income cannot increase through traditional farming alone. Therefore, crop diversification and horticulture-based farming models are emerging as the path to farmers’ prosperity in the future.
He said that the government has launched several welfare schemes for the benefit of farmers in the horticulture sector. To increase farmers’ income, a target has been set to double the horticulture sector and triple production by the year 2030. The state has established 13 Centres of Excellence for horticulture. He further informed that under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, protected prices have been fixed for 21 horticultural crops, including fruits and vegetables.
The Chief Minister said that the budget for the current financial year includes a provision to bring 1,000 acres under smart horticulture technologies such as protected cultivation, aeroponics, hydroponics, greenhouses, vertical farming and e-pest management in all districts. Rural Haat Mandis will also be established in the state and linked with pack houses of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The first Rural Haat Mandi will be inaugurated on December 23, 2026, on the occasion of Kisan Diwas.
He further said that during the year 2026-27, the “Meri Fasal Mera Byora” portal will remain operational throughout the year for registration of horticultural crops. A Cold Chain Policy has also been proposed to improve storage, price stability and exports.
The Chief Minister said that a Haryana Potato Seed Act will be introduced for certification of tissue culture-based potato seed production. Through this Act, annual production of approximately 7.5 lakh quintals of high-quality seed potatoes will be ensured. He said that districts, including Sonipat, Panipat, Ambala, Karnal and Kurukshetra are leading in mushroom production. Special programmes will be launched to further promote mushroom production and value addition in these districts.
He also announced that a Regional Research Centre affiliated with Maharana Pratap Horticulture University will be established at Chansoli in Ambala district to promote horticulture education.
The Chief Minister called upon scientists to develop seeds and planting material that require less water, provide higher yield, are disease resistant, more nutritious and adaptable to changing climatic conditions. He said that agricultural scientists are already doing excellent work in this direction. Continuous research is being carried out in areas such as tissue culture, micro-propagation, germplasm conservation, virus-free planting material, high-yielding varieties and organic plant protection technologies.
He said that in the coming years, Artificial Intelligence, sensor technology and biotechnology will bring revolutionary changes in the horticulture sector. It must be ensured that the benefits of these technologies do not remain confined to laboratories but reach the farmer standing last in the queue. Farmers will prosper only when they receive quality seeds and planting material on time and at affordable prices.
The Chief Minister said that if India wants to become a global horticulture export power, equal attention must be paid to quality along with production. He expressed confidence that the deliberations during this National Conference will provide new direction to the country’s horticulture policy, take research to new heights and open new avenues for the benefit of crores of farmers. The resolutions emerging from this conference, he said, will not remain confined to the auditorium but will reach farms across the country and transform the lives of farmers.
On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University, Karnal, Prof. Suresh Malhotra welcomed Chief Guest Nayab Singh Saini. Chairman of ASRB Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Dr. H.P. Singh from the Confederation of Indian Horticulture Associations and Dr. Pathak also shared their views during the programme.
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini honoured Prof. Indra Mani Mishra, Vice Chancellor of VNMKV Parbhani, Maharashtra, with the Lifetime Recognition Award-2026; Prof. V. Praveen Rao, Vice Chancellor of Kaveri University, Telangana, with the Amit Krishi Rishi Award-2026; and ASRB Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kumar with the Amit Prabuddh Manishi Award-2026.
The Chief Minister also honoured Nitin Lalit, Innovative Ornamental Horticulture Entrepreneur from Karnal; Naveen Kumar, Progressive Vegetable Grower from Dalawa, Jhajjar; Virender Bajwan, Innovative Mushroom Grower from Bajwan, Badiyal, Panchkula; and Kuldeep Arya, Progressive Fruit and Vegetable Grower from Narnaund, Hansi with the Udyan Ratna Award-2026.
Indri MLA and Chief Whip Ramkumar Kashyap, Nilokheri MLA Bhagwandas Kabirpanthi, Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
