*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Approves Horticulture Knowledge Centre At PAU*
*Punjab Approves ₹1,300-Crore JICA Project To Boost Horticulture: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Horticulture Knowledge Centre To Come Up At PAU Ludhiana: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab Targets 16 Lakh Hectares Under Horticulture By 2036: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
CHANDIGARH; 2nd September 2026:In a major initiative to give a fresh impetus to crop diversification and strengthen Punjab’s horticulture sector, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday approved the setting up of a Horticulture Knowledge Centre at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The move forms part of a ₹1,300-crore project aimed at expanding high-value horticulture, strengthening the sector’s value chain and boosting farmers’ income, with Punjab setting an ambitious target of increasing the horticulture area to 16 lakh hectares by 2036.
Chairing a meeting to review the Horticulture Department, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The main motive of the project is to promote horticultural crops through area expansion and stronger value chain infrastructure. It will enhance farmers’ income by diversifying into high-value horticultural crops and promote sustainable agricultural practices that improve soil health and conserve water.”
The Chief Minister stated, “Punjab currently has a net sown area of 41.25 lakh hectares, of which 5.27 lakh hectares is under horticulture, with a production of 106.10 lakh metric tonnes.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Fruit, vegetables, spices and aromatics, flowers and others cover the major section of the horticulture produce in the state. Major fruits are Kinnow and guava, while major vegetables are potatoes and peas. Other activities include beekeeping and mushroom production.”
He said, “A ₹1,300-crore project has been approved with support from JICA with the sole aim to diversify horticulture and increase farmers’ income. The project envisages investments in machinery, infrastructure, marketing, seeds and research, with the target of increasing the area under horticulture to 16 lakh hectares by 2036, representing an increase of nearly 300% from the present level.”
The Chief Minister said, “The prime focus will be the development of a sustainable horticulture value chain, area expansion and farmer incentives to promote diversification and improvement of nurseries with high-quality planting material. Thrust will also be laid on the development of post-harvest management infrastructure, improvement of market access, strengthening extension services, strengthening of the technical support system and other interventions.”
He said, “The Horticulture Knowledge Centre at PAU is envisaged as an important component of the broader initiative, providing institutional support for research, technical knowledge, capacity building and the adoption of improved horticultural practices.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The initiative is expected to strengthen the entire horticulture ecosystem, from quality planting material and cultivation to post-harvest management, marketing and market access, thereby creating better economic opportunities for farmers while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.”
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to CM Dr Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Agriculture Arshdeep Singh Thind and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.
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*Punjab Fully Geared Up For Smooth, Hassle-Free Paddy Procurement In Kharif Season: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*5.09 Lakh Bales To Be Arranged Well In Time; CCL Proposal Sent To RBI: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*180 Lakh Metric Tonnes Paddy Expected; Strict Vigilance To Check Inflow From Other States: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Every Grain Of Paddy Produced By Punjab Farmers Will Be Procured & Lifted Without Delay: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Strict Action Against Officials Causing Inconvenience To Farmers: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
CHANDIGARH; 2nd September 2026:Punjab Government has put in place comprehensive arrangements to ensure smooth, hassle-free and timely procurement of paddy during the upcoming Kharif Marketing Season 2026-27, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann directing all concerned departments and procurement agencies to remain fully geared up. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the preparations, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every grain produced through the sweat and toil of Punjab’s farmers will be procured and lifted without any delay.
During this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said “5.09 lakh bales will be required during the upcoming procurement season and arrangements for their availability are already being made. Required bales will be arranged well in time, ensuring that there is no difficulty in packing paddy during procurement. “The state government has already sent a proposal for authorization of the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) to the RBI. We are continuously following up with the State Bank of India and RBI, and the CCL is likely to be authorized shortly,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that around 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy is expected to arrive in Punjab during the 2026-27 season. He said Deputy Commissioners, CPs, SSPs, the Mandi Board and the Police Department have been directed to maintain strict vigil and effectively check the inflow of paddy from other states into Punjab. “Farmers have never faced any problem in selling their grain during the last four years and this legacy will be upheld. All-out efforts are being made to ensure smooth, hassle-free and quick procurement on one hand and timely payment to farmers for their produce on the other,” he said.
The Chief Minister categorically said that farmers of Punjab should not face any inconvenience in selling their produce in the mandis. He said the state government is committed to making the entire procurement process seamless and farmer-friendly. “Every grain produced with the sweat and toil of the Punjabi farmer shall be purchased. If any farmer is put to any sort of inconvenience, strict action will be taken against the concerned officials,” he asserted.
Directing the state procurement agencies to remain fully prepared for the ensuing season, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the government will leave no stone unturned to ensure foolproof procurement arrangements at the micro level. “I will personally monitor the entire procurement process to ensure that farmers do not face any sort of inconvenience. Every single grain of the farmers will be procured and lifted without any delay,” said the Chief Minister.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to CM Dr Ravi Bhagat, Principal Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Rahul Tiwari, Director Food and Civil Supplies Varinder Sharma and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.
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