Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday, 28 May announced the introduction of master's degree and PhD programmes in post-harvest management, plant pest control, and plant diseases, marking a significant push to build specialised academic capacity in the state's horticulture sector. The announcement was made at the inaugural session of a national conference held at Karnal, jointly organised by Maharana Pratap Horticulture University and the Lieutenant Amit Memorial Foundation.

Key Announcements

Chief Minister Saini also dedicated 14 Horticulture Science Centres of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University during the event. He said these centres would play a pivotal role in delivering the latest agricultural technologies, quality planting material, and scientific guidance directly to farmers across the state.

The conference was organised around the theme: 'Strategic Paradigm of Quality Seeds and Planting Material for Horticultural Crops in Amritkaal', bringing together horticulture scientists, progressive farmers, and policymakers. During the event, the Chief Minister honoured horticulture scientists and progressive farmers with shields, shawls, and certificates of appreciation. University Vice-Chancellor Suresh Kumar Malhotra presented the Chief Minister, MLAs, and other guests with a statue of Maharana Pratap.

India's Horticulture Potential and Persistent Gaps

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Saini noted that India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world, generating more than 360 million tonnes of horticultural produce annually. He highlighted India's global leadership in crops such as mango, banana, guava, pomegranate, potato, and onion.

'Despite high production, the country continues to suffer major economic losses due to deficiencies in quality, grading, disease-free planting material and post-harvest management,' he said. The Chief Minister stressed that quality seeds and planting material could increase agricultural productivity by 15 to 25 per cent, underscoring the urgency of investing in scientific management and modern supply chains.

University Milestones and Government Targets

The foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 December 2024. Saini credited the university with achieving 'remarkable milestones' in education, research, and farmer services within a short span, calling it a driver of Haryana's horticulture revolution.

The state has set a target to double the horticulture sector and triple production by 2030. Haryana has already established 13 centres of excellence for horticulture. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, protected prices have been fixed for 21 horticultural crops, including fruits and vegetables, to shield farmers from market volatility.

Viksit Bharat Vision and Agricultural Self-Reliance

Saini linked the horticulture push to Prime Minister Modi's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, describing it as a blueprint not just for economic growth but for 'self-reliant agriculture, nutritional security, scientific innovation and prosperity for crores of farmers.' The new academic programmes in post-harvest management are expected to supply trained professionals who can help reduce the significant post-harvest losses that continue to erode farmer incomes.

With the university's academic expansion now underway, the next phase will test whether research output translates into on-ground impact for Haryana's farming communities.