Chandigarh, January 13 — Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Monday said the state has emerged as a national leader in horticulture, beekeeping and protected cultivation, driven by sustained policy focus and innovation-led farming practices.
Addressing a pre-budget consultation meeting related to the Horticulture Department here, the minister said the Haryana government is consistently working to transform the state into a hub of agricultural innovation while ensuring a steady rise in farmers’ income. He reviewed the utilisation of funds allocated to the department in the previous budget and discussed future priorities aimed at strengthening farmer-centric schemes.
Rana said Haryana has set a benchmark by becoming the first state in the country to adopt a dedicated Beekeeping Policy. The effective implementation of the policy has significantly boosted honey production in the state. To give beekeeping a scientific and commercial push, an Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre has been established at Ramnagar. Through this centre, farmers are being provided up to 85 per cent subsidy on the purchase of bee boxes, while subsidies of up to 75 per cent are available for honey processing, bottling and quality testing.
Highlighting progress in the horticulture sector, the minister said Haryana is also at the forefront in establishing Centres of Excellence to demonstrate advanced technologies. During the current government’s tenure, nine such centres have already been set up, while work is underway on three more. These centres are providing farmers with access to high-quality planting material and modern farming techniques.
The minister said low-cost vertical farming is being promoted on a large scale across the state. Over the past few years, vegetable cultivation using advanced technologies has been encouraged across 18,630 acres. Farmers adopting protected cultivation practices are being supported with subsidies ranging from 50 to 85 per cent.
Rana added that Haryana has emerged as a leading state in the adoption of protected farming and advanced agricultural technologies, resulting in a two to threefold increase in crop yields and a substantial rise in farmers’ income.
He further noted that Haryana was the first state in the country to implement the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. At present, 21 fruits and vegetables have been brought under the ambit of the scheme.
With these forward-looking and farmer-friendly initiatives, the minister said, the state government remains committed to making agriculture profitable, enhancing farmers’ income and positioning Haryana as a centre of agricultural innovation.
