Chandigarh, July 4 – Haryana’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal, announced that a Centre of Excellence for the management of fruits and vegetables will be established in Panchkula with the cooperation of England (UK) at a cost of Rs. 115 crore. An MoU has been inked in this regard. This centre is expected to be completed by the year 2026.
Sh. Kanwar Pal stated that India ranks second globally in the production of fruits and vegetables, but 20 to 30 percent of this production is wasted. This Centre of Excellence will help in the proper maintenance of fruits and vegetables for the state’s farmers.
He mentioned that the centre will be developed by adopting modern technologies with the cooperation of international and other national-level institutions. Post-harvest, fruits and vegetables can be stored and transported at the correct temperature and humidity. This will help in extending the freshness period of fruits and vegetables.
The Agriculture Minister said that the establishment of the Centre of Excellence will strengthen the cold chain in India and also help minimize the energy used in the cold chain. Additionally, various experiments will be conducted at this centre on how to reduce post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables, and farmers will be made aware of this to minimize these losses. This will ensure that the highest quality fruits and vegetables are available to everyone.
Furthermore, an MoU was signed between Haryana and England in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Sh. Ankur Gupta, and British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh, Caroline Rowett for the construction of this Centre of Excellence.
