Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday, 5 June launched the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project worth ₹2,738 crore at a programme in Panchkula, stating that farmers, youth, women, and modern technology would be central to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat – 2047. The event, held on the occasion of World Environment Day, also saw the laying of the foundation stone of the Haryana Agri-Business and Cold Chain Centre.

What the Project Entails

The Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project targets a persistent structural problem: nearly 20–30 per cent of fruits and vegetables currently perish before reaching markets. To address post-harvest losses, the initiative will develop 400 horticulture clusters and organise 500 producer groups. Infrastructure to be built includes 402 pack houses, four lead pack houses, three fulfilment centres, and 44 retail outlets.

The project also envisages the construction of 1,000 rainwater harvesting structures and the expansion of micro-irrigation systems to cover 65,000 acres, directly addressing Haryana's deepening groundwater crisis.

Key Announcements by the Chief Minister

Saini announced that to tackle waterlogging and soil salinity in several districts, the state government would undertake plantation on 1,000 hectares this year using biodrainage technology, restoring the land for agricultural use. He also disclosed plans to construct 25 new water storage dams and renovate 25 existing dams in the Shivalik and Aravalli regions to bolster groundwater conservation.

The Chief Minister described the dual launch — the JICA project and the Agri-Business and Cold Chain Centre — as 'the beginning of a new chapter for Haryana's agriculture, environment, and rural economy.'

Why Haryana Is Pivoting to Horticulture

Saini acknowledged that while Haryana had played a defining role in India's food security through the Green Revolution, changing climatic conditions, declining groundwater levels, rising cultivation costs, and shrinking landholdings now necessitate diversification. He highlighted horticulture, fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, floriculture, mushroom cultivation, and beekeeping as high-opportunity segments for farmers seeking to raise incomes.

Making Haryana the country's leading state in horticulture, agribusiness, cold chain infrastructure, food processing, and agricultural exports was described as among the government's top priorities.

India–Japan Cooperation and Dignitaries Present

The event was attended by Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, 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 efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector and improve farmers' welfare.

Saini noted that Haryana currently hosts 394 Japanese industries and more than 600 Japanese business establishments, underscoring the depth of bilateral economic ties. Both Saini and Rana also planted saplings under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and visited an exhibition organised by the Horticulture Department.

What Comes Next

With the foundation stone laid and JICA funding secured, attention will now shift to the pace of cluster development, producer group formation, and cold chain infrastructure rollout. The project's success will hinge on whether post-harvest loss reduction translates into measurable income gains for small and marginal farmers — the demographic most vulnerable to the structural challenges Saini outlined.