Chandigarh, June 5 (IANS) Launching the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project of Rs 2,738 crore, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said farmers, youth, women, and modern technology will play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat – 2047.

He said that making Haryana the country’s leading state in horticulture, agribusiness, cold chain infrastructure, food processing, and agricultural exports is among the government’s top priorities.

Calling for collective action, the Chief Minister urged all stakeholders to work together to make agriculture more sustainable, modern, and profitable; to transform water conservation into a mass movement; and to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

The Chief Minister was addressing a programme in Panchkula, near here, on the occasion of World Environment Day, where he launched the JICA-funded project. He also laid the foundation stone of the Haryana Agri-Business and Cold Chain Centre.

He said both initiatives would not only enhance farmers’ incomes but also serve as milestones in transforming the state’s agricultural ecosystem into a modern, sustainable, and high-value sector.

Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana was also present on the occasion. Earlier, both leaders planted saplings under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visited an exhibition organised by the Horticulture Department.

Among those present were JICA Chief Representative Takeuchi Takuro, First Secretary (Food and Agriculture) Hayase Takehiko, and British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio. The dignitaries appreciated the government’s initiatives to strengthen the agricultural sector and improve farmers’ welfare.

Addressing farmers, the Chief Minister said the day marked not merely the launch of two projects but the beginning of a new chapter for Haryana’s agriculture, environment, and rural economy.

He expressed confidence that Haryana would once again show the way to the nation and lead a horticulture and agri-business revolution, just as it had spearheaded the Green Revolution decades ago.

He said that while Haryana had played a defining role in ensuring India’s food security through the Green Revolution, changing climatic conditions, declining groundwater levels, rising cultivation costs, and shrinking landholdings now necessitate diversification.

He said horticulture, fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, floriculture, mushroom cultivation, and beekeeping offer immense opportunities for farmers to increase their incomes.

The Chief Minister announced that to address waterlogging and soil salinity issues in several districts, the government would undertake plantation activities on 1,000 hectares this year using biodrainage technology, thereby restoring the land for agricultural use.

In addition, 25 new water storage dams will be constructed and 25 existing dams renovated in the Shivalik and Aravalli regions to strengthen groundwater conservation efforts.

Highlighting the Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project, the Chief Minister said nearly 20–30 per cent of fruits and vegetables currently perish before reaching markets. The project seeks to address this challenge by developing robust post-harvest infrastructure.

Under the initiative, 400 horticulture clusters will be developed, 500 producer groups will be organised and strengthened, and infrastructure, including 402 pack houses, four lead pack houses, three fulfilment centres, and 44 retail outlets, will be established.

The project also envisages the construction of 1,000 rainwater harvesting structures and the expansion of micro-irrigation systems to cover 65,000 acres.

Referring to India–Japan relations, the Chief Minister said the ties between the two countries span centuries and continue to deepen. Haryana currently hosts 394 Japanese industries and more than 600 Japanese business establishments, reflecting the strength of bilateral cooperation and friendship.

–IANS

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