Punjab horti success story

Interview with Mr.Kulbir Singh, Director, Department of Horticulture, Punjab.

What is the total area under horticulture crops in Punjab at present?
At present fruits occupy about an area of 44,000 ha. from which a production of 6.28 lakh tonnes has been estimated. Vegetables are cultivated on an area of about 1.53 lac ha. with an estimated production production 25.88 lakh tonnes in the State. About 19000 tonnes fresh mushroom is being produced which contribute 45% share in the total production of India.What are the major crops being cultivated? Which are the strong horticulture districts in Punjab?

Fruits : Kinnow, sweet orange, Lime-Lemon, Mango, Litchi, Guava, Pear, Peach, Plum, Grapes, Ber.

Vegetables :P otato, onion, garlic, tomato, brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage, okra, chillies, peas, muskmelon, watermelon, Vine vegetables, root vegetables and other vegetables.
Horticultural crops are being grown successfully in all the districts.

Are there any successful horticultural processing units in operation could you name them?
Six government fruit preservation laboratories are working under the control of this department at Patiala, Abohar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar.

Is there any horticultural crop that is being successfully exported? What is the total value of horticultural exports this year?
3470 MT of Kinnow fruit was exported. The total subsidy of Rs.41,46,357 is provided to the exported by the Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd. Chandigarh during the year 2002-03.
What are the highlights of the government policy towards horticulture in the state?
The main emphasis is given by the government to bring additional area under horticultural crops by diversifying area from cereal crops to horticultural crops. There is a plan to bring an additional area of 4000 ha. under fruits, 10000 ha. under vegetables and 200 ha. under floriculture during the year 2005-06.

How does the department of horticulture help horticulture farmers?
Facilities are provided to promote the horticulture in the State by the department is given in the table.

What are the different subsidies given to horticulture farmers by the state and central government in Punjab?
The following subsidies are being given by the department :
m 50% subsidy is provided to the growers on the purchase of garden tools, plant protection equipment and barbed-wire etc. Subject to maximum of Rs.1400 per beneficiary.
m To improve the quality and productivity of Kinnow, financial assistance @ Rs.5000/ per ha. for the purchase of ridomil fungicide.

m Financial assistance @ Rs.500/- per demonstration (0.1 ha) for carrying out time bound horticultural operation.

m Improvement of Grape quality through Israeli Technology financial assistance @Rs.2800/- per acre.

m 50% subsidy is provided for the purchase of plastic crates for the safe handling and transportation of produce for better marketing.

[hidepost] m25% subsidy is provided on the installation of drip irrigation as per norms of GOI under Macro Management Work Plan.

m Financial assistance @Rs.1000/- per acre is provided for the production of hybrid and high yielding vegetables.

What are the main developments in the Department of Horticulture in last 12 months: What is the current annual budget outlay for the department?
Total outlay of state plan and Centrally Sponsored Schemes is as under:
Rs. in lakhs
Name of the scheme 2004-05 2005-06
State plan scheme 527.50 704.06

Centrally sponsored
scheme 316.50 339.00
Is there any promotional schemes in the state for organically farmed vegetables and fruits? Are there any designated agencies for certification of organic crops in Punjab?
At present neither there is any promotional schemes for organically farmed vegetable and fruits nor any certification agency in the State. However, the farmers are being educated by the department to go in for organic cultivation.

What is the progress being made in the horticulture related agricultural export zones in Punjab?
Five agriculture export zones of potato have been set up by the Markfed – a nodal agency. In these AEZ the department has deputed a team of Horticulture Development Officers in each zone to provide training/ education on the improved technology to the potato growers.

We find that imported fruits are being in India – including super markets of Chandigarh at very high prices? Why do you feel that the same fruits being grown by the farmers are not being sold and marketed in the same manner?
Yes. The farmers are being educated to sell their produce on the same manner.
Is there any private sector investments in Punjab Horticulture? Can you suggest commercially interesting projects that entrepreneurs can decide to set up in the state?
There is no any private sector investments in the State.

Please tell us about you own education and career achievements till date?
M.Sc Horticulture.

Our Correspondent

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  • Mohinder Pal Singh

    Respected Sir,
    Sat Shri Akal
    This is ref to a article in The Tribune dated 2012-02-03, regarding the inspection team of EU is on a tour of Punjab to see if potatoes are grown in pest free condition here.
    With due respect, I am to inform you that, I retired from CSIO as Tech. Officer E II in June 2010. I have served CSIR for a long period of time and have learned a lot during this long association. I am happy that I introduced a new unique application for agriculture. Sir you will be glad to know that during the fag-end of my career, I had designed, developed and fabricated an innovative device based on proven technology, it can enhance the growth of any crop, not only in India but around the world by nearly 10%, along with overall growth of other Allied fields of Agriculture (Animal husbandry, Fishery, Poultry, Piggery) to great extent. The biggest plus of this gadget is that, it will save water consumption by nearly 15% in all fields. I have filed patent of this device under application no 3671/Delhi/2011
    Last year I conducted some in house experiments on various flowers, vegetables, wheat, and black channa. Results were very encouraging. Results motivated me to go forward. Later on I conducted experiment in the fields Mr. Harpreet Singh an upcoming & dynamic farmer who agreed to allow me to conduct experiment on his paddy crop in June 2011. Results of Basmati 47 are attached for your kind information *(Progress is of 5,10,25,35,120,130 days respectively)*. The increase is 14.2% after 130 days. The final outcome of the crops showed an increase of 19.2% and saving of water by 12% approximately.
    In the result’s photographs, we have used the, abbreviation. *OS stands for Ord. Water, where as Sw stands for Sample Water (water thro this gadget)
    Result based on 10 plants plucked on Harvesting day (22nd.Oct2011).
    Parameter Without treated water With treated water Remark
    Weight of plants 2.300 K gm 2.850 K gm Increase 0.550 K gm
    Nos Of Balis 153 Nos 176 Nos
    23 Nos
    Total weight of Balis 0.650 K gm 0.775 Kgm 0.125 K gm
    Increase in produce 19.20%

    The scientists effectively used this device/ technology for wellness of mankind I have
    used same device on plants assuming that it must be beneficial for plants as
    plants too have life energy. This experiment turned out to be very effective
    in plants as well.
    The salient features of this device is that it is unbreakable, portable, no maintenance, no use of chemical, easy to operate, no moving parts, no use of electricity, eco friendly, all –weather- device, no wear and tear, having more than 20 years’ of life, one time investment, life- time use and assured results. If we irrigate our fields with this water for 4 to 5 years, we may reduce use of fertilizer, pesticides and will be close to organic farming. We anticipate farmers will generate more income of their produce in all Agriculture and its allied fields at negligible cost.
    The only precaution is water available at site must touch this device when in use.

    I assure you Sir potatoes are irrigated with this water from day one, it will not only increase its growth but save water for future along with others benefits as mentioned above.

    I have served CSIR for a long period of time and have learned a lot during
    this period. I am happy that I introduced this new application of already
    existing device. I will really feel honoured if your lab conducts extensive
    studies on the device and verify the above claims. This will be a great boon
    for agriculture as increase of production is at negligible cost and increase
    in productivity of agriculture produce will be in the interest of country.

    Given your vast experience, keen acumen and being a visionary, I am sure, Sir, that you can see the futuristic benefits of this novel device
    More photos of results, instant tests and other experiment can’t be attached due to length of mail, if interested, can be attached later on.
    More details will be discussed when we meet
    Looking forward to your guidance and invaluable advice
    With respectful regards
    M P Singh
    # 1052 Sector 46 B Chandigarh (M) 09888381052 (R) 0172-2630658