Fazilka: In a landmark initiative to modernize Punjab’s agricultural sector, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has expanded three key agro-processing units, strengthening the state’s value-added food production and promoting crop diversification.
Punjab Agriculture and Food Processing Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian inaugurated the upgraded projects, including the Chilli Processing Unit, Citrus Processing Unit, and High-Tech Protected Cultivation Nursery, established by Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd. (PAGREXCO) in Alamgarh village, Fazilka district.
Gurmeet Singh Khudian Inaugurates Expanded Chilli Processing in Fazilka
Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted that these projects will not only increase farmer incomes but also position Punjab as a global hub for high-value processed food products. In a major boost for local chilli farmers, PAGREXCO’s newly expanded Chilli Processing Unit at the existing Fruits and Vegetables Processing Plant now has a capacity of 3 Metric Tonnes per hour, increasing the total processing capacity from 1 MT/hour to 4 MT/hour.
The facility will process both red and green chillies into premium fermented and unfermented chilli paste for export markets. By directly procuring fresh produce from farmers and reducing dependence on sun-drying, the unit is expected to process nearly 6,500 MT of chillies per season, ensuring better price realisation and a significant reduction in post-harvest losses.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਕਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਣੇ ਹੋਰ ਇਲਾਕਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਸੜਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਉਦਘਾਟਨ ਮੌਕੇ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਗੁਰਮੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਖੁੱਡੀਆਂ Live https://t.co/yFjmvo2eX6
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To enhance the value of Punjab’s famous Kinnow crop, PAGREXCO has also upgraded its Citrus Processing Unit with advanced machinery, including a Deacidification Unit, a Citrus Peel Oil Extraction Unit, and a Debittering Unit. These upgrades eliminate the natural bitterness caused by compounds like limonin, improving the taste of Kinnow juice for global markets. Additionally, the Peel Oil Extraction Unit converts processing waste into high-value essential oil rich in d-limonene, widely used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
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In a significant step for vegetable farming, PAGREXCO has launched a High-Tech Protected Cultivation Nursery in Alamgarh, increasing annual seedling production from 16 lakh to 40 lakh seedlings. Using precision sowing and climate-controlled polyhouses, the nursery will produce uniform, healthy, and robust seedlings, reducing high mortality rates associated with hybrid seeds and lowering input costs for farmers.
“Under CM Mann’s visionary leadership, our government is moving beyond traditional farming to create a robust ecosystem for value addition,” said Gurmeet Singh Khudian. “These projects address critical challenges faced by farmers—from post-harvest losses to price volatility—by creating direct market linkages and expanding processing capabilities. PAGREXCO’s initiatives mark a turning point for Punjab’s agriculture sector, ensuring sustainable growth and enhancing its global competitiveness.”