Haryana leading in diversification of crops

CHANDIGARH, OCT 18

Haryana is going to become an emerging state in terms of diversification of crops. At present, cultivation of fruits, flowers, vegetables, spices and medicinal plants is being carried out on 4.50 lakh hectares of area in the State.

        Haryana has made concerted efforts in the diversification of crops and for the first time in the country, Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence for fruits and vegetables have been set up in Haryana. Also, the Central Government has awarded the Department for outstanding performance of these Centres and large number of farmers has come out of circle of traditional farming.

        Giving this information, Director, Horticulture Department, Dr. Arjun Saini said that five projects have been set up in the State to impart practical training to farmers. These five projects included Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Gharaunda, Centre of Excellence for Fruits in Mangiana of Sirsa, Centre of Sub-Tropical Fruits, Ladwa in Kurukshetra, Guava Demonstration center of Bhuna in Fatehabad and Horticulture Biotechnology Centre in Karnal.

 Centre of Excellence for vegetables in Gharaunda

So far, 1,252 poly houses have been set up which covers about 438.77 hectares of area. There is a target to set up poly houses in 50,000 hectares by next year.

        He said that world level yields were being produced in Centre of Excellence for vegetables in Gharaunda which include 302 Metric Tonnes (MT) per hectare of tomatoes, 211 MT per hectare of capsicum, 151 MT of cucumber. He said that 75 varieties of tomatoes, 24 of capsicum and 15 of cucumber were being demonstrated in this centre. Also, cultivation of brinjal, green chilli and muskmelon was being carried out in the centre during winter season and cabbage in summers. About 162.74 lakh plants of vegetables have been distributed among farmers till the year 2014-15.

 Centre of Excellence for Fruits in Mangiana

Set up at a cost of Rs 9.70 crore in about 80 acres of area, new varieties of citrus fruits, olives, pomegranate and dates have been demonstrated in Centre of Excellence for Fruits in Mangiana. Every information pertaining to fruits were being provided in this Centre. So far, this centre has provided quality plants of fruits to about one lakh farmers. With the setting up of this Centre, Kinnow fruit has emerged as a brand in the State and the Country, which is famous as Sirsa Kinnow.

 Centre of Sub-Tropical Fruits, Ladwa

The centre has been set up at a cost of Rs 9.10 crore on an area of about 30 acres. Various varieties of fruits have been demonstrated in the centre including 28 varieties of mango, four varieties of guava, seven of pear, six of peaches, four of pomegranate and five varieties of olives etc.

 Guava Demonstration center of Bhuna

The Centre has been set up at a cost of Rs two crore. As many as 18 varieties of guava have been demonstrated with latest technology. Information of various varieties of guava was being given to farmers in the centre.

 Horticulture Biotechnology Centre in Karnal

This centre was being set up in Shamgarh district Karnal at a cost of Rs four crore. The construction work is in progress and there is a target to complete it by November 2015.

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