A Catalyst for Agricultural Prosperity

The Department of Horticulture in district Hoshiarpur, Punjab, plays a vital role in shaping the agricultural landscape of the region. The department is dedicated to providing cutting-edge production technologies for fruits, vegetables, flowers, and mushrooms to farmers, ensuring that the horticultural sector remains vibrant and productive. The district-level office, located in the village of Chhauni Kalan, serves as the nerve center of this mission, with block and circle-level offices strategically positioned in Dasuya, Mukerian, Talwara, Bhunga, Mahilpur, and Garhshanker.

Diverse and Thriving Agricultural Landscape

Hoshiarpur district boasts a rich and diversified agricultural heritage. Out of the total 206,757 hectares of cultivated land, approximately 8,400 hectares are devoted to fruit crops such as Kinnow, Mango, Guava, Peach, and Litchi. Furthermore, 31,300 hectares are under vegetable cultivation, featuring crops like potatoes, carrots, peas, and cauliflower. Remarkably, while only 3.7% of Punjab’s total agricultural area is dedicated to horticultural crops, Hoshiarpur’s horticultural area constitutes a significant 11%. This highlights the district’s unique position in Punjab’s agricultural sector, with immense potential for future growth.

Quality Planting Material and Advanced Infrastructure

Department of Horticulture goes beyond mere technical assistance; it is committed to providing farmers with high-quality nursery plants and vegetable seeds of approved varieties at reasonable rates. The department operates three government-run gardens and nurseries located in Chhauni Kalan, Bhunga, and Khiala Bulanda. These nurseries are equipped with modern facilities, including screen houses, shade-net houses, and automated fertigation units, enabling the production of approximately 70,000 fruit plants annually.

Center of Excellence (CoE) for Citrus Fruits

A hallmark of the department’s innovation is the establishment of a “Center of Excellence” for fruits at Khanaura, under the Indo-Israel project, supported by the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). This center is a hub for testing various table and processing varieties of citrus fruits for their suitability in the region. In addition to citrus, the center is also exploring the potential of crops like Guava, Mango, Papaya, and Banana, thereby expanding the scope of horticultural diversity in the district.

Strategic Thrust Points for Horticulture Development

The Department of Horticulture has identified key thrust points to drive the development of the horticultural sector:

• Enhancing Productivity and Quality: Improving the yield and quality of horticultural crops through advanced practices.
• Technology Transfer and Adoption: Ensuring that farmers adopt the latest technological advancements in horticulture.
• Quality Planting Material Supply: Boosting the availability of superior planting material to farmers.
• Post-Harvest Infrastructure Development: Creating facilities for efficient post-harvest handling and processing.
• Area Expansion: Expanding the cultivated area under horticultural crops.

Market Promotion: Encouraging both domestic and export marketing of horticultural products

Citrus Estates and Cost-Effective Farming

In a bid to reduce production costs and enhance farmer profitability, the department has established two Citrus Estates in Bhunga and Chhauni Kalan. These estates are equipped with leaf and soil testing laboratories, advanced spraying equipment, and pruning tools, all of which contribute to reducing farming expenditures while improving crop yields.

Potato Seed Farm and Mushroom Cultivation

The department also operates a Government Potato Seed Farm in Khanaura, which produces 5,000 to 6,000 quintals of high-quality potato seed and 100 quintals of vegetable seeds annually. These seeds are made available to farmers on a first-come, first-served basis at nominal rates. Additionally, the department promotes mushroom cultivation through its Government Mushroom Spawn Laboratory at Chhauni Kalan, which produces approximately 5,500 bottles of mushroom spawn annually.

Fruit Preservation and Home-Scale Horticulture

The Department of Horticulture also prioritizes value addition and training. The Fruit Preservation Laboratory at Chhauni Kalan produces around 6,000 bottles of various squashes and offers training to rural women, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the department distributes approximately 1,800 vegetable mini-kits for both summer and winter seasons to encourage home-scale fruit and vegetable cultivation. This initiative not only enhances nutritional security but also significantly reduces household expenses.

Conclusion

The Department of Horticulture, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, is a cornerstone of agricultural development in the region. Despite its limited staff and resources, the department effectively serves the farming community, providing essential services, quality planting material, and access to modern technologies. Through various initiatives and subsidies under MIDH guidelines, the department continues to empower farmers, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity in the horticultural sector.