Punjab crop diversification scheme shows positive results, area under horticulture increased

Punjab's crop diversification scheme is yielding significant results, particularly in the horticulture sector. Over the past 28 months, the total area under horticulture has expanded by 42,406 hectares. The cultivated area has increased from 4,39,210 hectares to 4,81,616 hectares, indicating a strong shift towards diversified farming. Punjab Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Joramajra presented these statistics, highlighting the scheme's success.

The Cabinet Minister detailed that orchard coverage has grown from 96,686 hectares to 1,03,161 hectares, with an increase of 6,475 hectares for fruit cultivation, while Vegetable cultivation has seen a large increase of 35,009 hectares, with the total area growing from 3,21,466 hectares to 3,56,465 hectares in the last 28 months.

The area for ornamental plant cultivation has increased from 1,728 hectares to 2,050 hectares, informed S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra, while noting growth in mushroom cultivation, mentha oil and turmeric production.

"These numbers show the Horticulture Department's efforts and the success of agricultural diversification in Punjab," said the Cabinet Minister. He said that this shift towards horticulture is important for sustainable farming and improving farmers' incomes in the state.

The increase in horticultural acreage demonstrating the Punjab government's efforts to promote crop diversification and support farmers in adopting alternative, high-value crops, he added.

The Horticulture Minister said that for bolstering crop diversification and promoting horticulture in the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government has also released new nursery rules.