Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The “Go Global” approach of the Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, received a major boost following a landmark agreement signed with the prominent Indian spice manufacturing company, MDH (Mahashian Di Hatti). Under this strategic pact, signed in the presence of the Chief Minister in Panchkula on Wednesday, six Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) from Haryana will now be able to leverage agricultural and agribusiness opportunities internationally, including in African nations such as Tanzania and Kenya.
The initiative, jointly executed by the Department of Foreign Cooperation and the Department of Horticulture, aims to link local growers with international supply chains to enhance agrarian income. As part of the initial phase of the agreement, a comprehensive plan has been drawn up to introduce organic and natural farming practices across 4,000 acres in the Morni region of Panchkula district. To safeguard farmers transitioning to chemical-free agriculture, Chief Minister Saini announced that the state government will compensate growers for any financial losses incurred during the shift, while MDH has committed to purchasing the pesticide-free produce at a premium rate of 10% above the prevailing market price.
The commercial collaboration focuses specifically on accelerating the cultivation of high-value spice crops, including ginger, turmeric, and chillies, in the hilly terrains of Morni. MDH will provide technical mentorship, quality control guidelines, marketing assistance, and direct procurement channels. Looking outward, the agreement establishes a long-term roadmap where Haryana’s FPOs can lease agricultural land in Tanzania, Kenya, and other African countries to cultivate these spice crops, with MDH guaranteeing buy-back arrangements for the overseas yield. This marks the first time that smallholder farmers from Haryana will expand their entrepreneurial operations beyond national borders.
Welcoming the state’s progressive policies, MDH Chairman Rajiv Gulati praised the administration’s focus on sustainable agriculture and stated that the company is dedicated to building a robust procurement system that prioritizes premium-quality, pesticide-free products. He added that this collaboration will position Haryana as a vital hub within the global spice value chain. The high-level signing event was attended by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Advisor to the Department of Foreign Cooperation Pawan Choudhary, Additional Chief Secretary Vijendra Kumar, Principal Secretary Amneet P. Kumar, and Director General of Horticulture Dr. Arjun Saini, alongside progressive farmers representing the participating FPOs.
