Punjab to pump Rs 1,300cr into horticulture to save groundwater

Bathinda: Grappling with a rapidly depleting groundwater table due to heavy reliance on the water-intensive paddy crop, Punjab plans to promote horticulture by expanding the area under fruits, vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants by nearly 300% by 2035.Presenting the fifth budget of the Aam Aadmi Party government on Sunday, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the state aims to increase the horticulture area from 4.59 lakh hectares to 17.34 lakh hectares over the next decade. The initiative will be supported by sustainable practices such as efficient irrigation, integrated pest management and organic cultivation.
To accelerate this transition, the government will implement a ₹1,300-crore horticulture transformation project over the next 10 years with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The programme aims to promote climate-resilient and high-value horticulture across the state.Cheema said the project will bring significant investment into the sector, including support for improved seeds and nurseries, research, modern mandi infrastructure, cold storage and processing facilities, along with farmer training and extension services.He noted that cultivation of dragon fruit is gaining traction among progressive farmers, and more growers are adopting the high-value crop. Through structured training and stronger extension support, farmers across Punjab will be encouraged to adopt climate-smart techniques to improve productivity.The shift towards horticulture is expected to boost farm incomes, conserve natural resources and promote long-term environmental sustainability.Punjab has long struggled to move away from the wheat–paddy cycle, a change repeatedly emphasised by the Supreme Court under crop diversification efforts. However, horticulturists continue to face challenges in several areas, including Abohar in Fazilka district, a major citrus-growing belt.MSID:: 129266791 413 |