CHANDIGARH — Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann approved the establishment of the Punjab JICA horticulture knowledge centre at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. The initiative operates under a ₹1,300-crore partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The main objective focuses on expanding high-value fruit and vegetable farming across the state. Additionally, the administration aims to increase total horticulture coverage from 5.27 lakh hectares to 16 lakh hectares by 2036.
| Operational Metric | Current Level (2026) | Target Objective (2036) | Strategic Purpose |
| Horticulture Area | 5.27 lakh hectares | 16.00 lakh hectares | Achieves a ~300% increase in high-value crop coverage |
| Total Net Sown Area | 41.25 lakh hectares | 41.25 lakh hectares | Shifts land away from water-intensive paddy cycles |
| Annual Crop Production | 106.10 lakh metric tonnes | Expanded production capacity | Strengthens supply chains for fruits, vegetables, and floriculture |
| Project Financial Outlay | ₹1,300-crore allocation | Long-term execution model | Funded in collaboration with JICA for infrastructure and research |
Institutional Support and Strategic Value Chains
The upcoming facility at PAU Ludhiana will serve as a hub for research, technical training, and institutional capacity building. Furthermore, state officials plan to modernize nursery management to supply growers with high-quality planting materials.
Meanwhile, investments will flow into machinery, post-harvest handling units, seed development, and direct marketing channels. Chief Minister Mann stressed that boosting horticulture helps preserve groundwater reserves while restoring soil health across Punjab’s agricultural belt.
| Horticulture Sector Segment | Primary Crops & Activities | Focus Areas Under JICA Project |
| Citrus & Fruit Production | Kinnow, Guava | Nursery improvement and quality sapling distribution |
| Vegetable Cultivation | Potato, Green Peas | Cold-chain storage and direct market integration |
| Allied Agricultural Units | Apiculture (Beekeeping), Mushroom Culture | Processing facilities and value-added export links |
| Specialized Agriculture | Flowers, Spices, Aromatic Plants | Commercial research support at PAU Ludhiana |
Building Climate-Resilient Agricultural Infrastructure
The Punjab JICA horticulture knowledge centre will also strengthen technical extension networks across districts. Senior leadership, including Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and Agriculture Secretary Arshdeep Singh Thind, reviewed the implementation roadmap.
Consequently, the multi-year project focuses on minimizing post-harvest losses and establishing direct access to major consumer markets. By promoting sustainable farming practices, Punjab aims to safeguard farmer livelihoods while insulating rural households against climate risks.