Punjab Horticulture Sector Achieved New Heights in 2024
Agriculture Infrastructure, Crop Diversification, and Export Milestones Achieved
The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has made significant strides in expanding the state’s horticulture sector and enhancing the economic well-being of farmers. In 2024, the state achieved remarkable progress, marked by key initiatives under the guidance of Horticulture Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat.
Minister Bhagat highlighted the state’s top position in the country under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF), with 19,408 projects and ₹4,478 crore in term loans sanctioned. This demonstrates the Punjab Government’s strong commitment to advancing agricultural infrastructure and supporting farmers.
A primary focus of the government has been crop diversification, which has led to an increase in the horticulture area from 4,39,210 to 4,81,616 hectares. This expansion provides farmers with more opportunities for growth in various horticultural sectors.
The state also achieved national recognition at the Skoch National Awards 2024, winning the Silver Award for its sericulture project, which is aimed at empowering women and fostering socio-economic growth. In addition, Punjab’s export of litchi to the UK, facilitated by the Horticulture Department and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), marked a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to promote its horticultural produce on the global stage. With 3,250 hectares of litchi cultivation and an annual production of 13,000 metric tons, this move is set to increase farmers’ incomes and open new export markets.
Minister Bhagat also shared the establishment of three new horticultural estates in Punjab: a pear estate in Amritsar, a guava estate in Patiala, and a litchi estate in Pathankot. These estates are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the agricultural landscape and support farmers’ growth.
The government’s commitment extends to supporting farmers through the National Horticulture Mission, which provides financial assistance for activities such as orchard planting, vegetable cultivation, mushroom farming, beekeeping, and post-harvest management. Several Centres of Excellence have also been established across districts, promoting vegetable and fruit farming.
Another significant achievement was in the sericulture sector, where the price of cocoons surged from ₹550 to ₹1,250 per kilogram, ensuring better earnings for farmers, especially women, who make up over 60% of the workforce in this sector. The government has also reactivated the Silk Seed Production Centre in Dalhousie, helping provide high-quality silk seeds to farmers.
Additionally, the inaugural Silk Mark Expo 2024 in Chandigarh showcased the region’s silk craftsmanship and highlighted the role of sericulture in rural empowerment. Moving forward, the government plans to establish an exclusive Punjab Silk brand and set up silk reeling units to enhance value addition and further increase farmer incomes.
Minister Bhagat concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to expanding both horticulture and sericulture in Punjab, aiming to empower rural communities and drive sustainable growth in the sector.