MOVE AIMED AT GIVING A MAJOR PUSH TO CROP DIVERSIFICATION FOR TRANSFORMING DESTINY OF PUNJABI FARMERS
Chandigarh, April 20-
In a strategic tie up that will transform the destiny of Punjab’s farmer, the state is all set to a have dedicated Horticulture Experience and Learning Center in Punjab, on the lines the World Horti Center ecosystem, to give major push to crop diversification, due to the strenuous efforts of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
As a part of his visit for investment promotion outreach in the Netherlands on Monday, the Chief Minister undertook key visits to leading horticulture institutions, including the World Horti Center (WHC), Westland, and the globally renowned Keukenhof, Lisse, to study best practices in sustainable agriculture, floriculture, and high-efficiency farming systems. He mooted the idea of establishing such a centre in Punjab and said that the proposed center would bring together researchers, academic institutions, industry partners, and government stakeholders to promote innovation, skill development, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural solutions in the State. At the World Horti Center, a global hub for greenhouse horticulture innovation, Bhagwant Singh Mann was received by CEO Puck van Holsteijn and Manager International Business Lenny Dijkshoorn, who led a comprehensive tour of the facility.
The Chief Minister said that it was a unique experience as they were introduced to the Netherlands’ globally acclaimed ecosystem of greenhouse and controlled-environment agriculture, where the integration of technology, research, education, industry, and government has transformed traditional farming into a high-productivity and sustainable sector. He said that the key learnings included the effectiveness of greenhouse and advanced indoor farming systems, which significantly enhance crop yields while ensuring efficient water usage, reduced reliance on pesticides, and improved farmer incomes compared to conventional open-field farming. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this can be helpful for the state to give a major push to crop diversification and bring the farmers out of the vicious circle of water guzzling crops.
The Chief Minister said that the role of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and precision irrigation systems in optimizing plant growth and resource efficiency, along with innovative water management practices such as rainwater harvesting, reuse of irrigation water, and controlled nutrient delivery systems to ensure climate-resilient agricultural production is also a new learning. He said that both sides explored avenues for collaboration, including knowledge transfer and technology partnerships and in principle agreed to it. Earlier, Bhagwant Singh Mann visited Keukenhof, one of the world’s most iconic floriculture destinations, where they were apprised of a unique operational model where nearly 7 million flower bulbs are grown and planted annually during autumn beginning October, and bloom in a precisely managed 7–8 week window starting March.
The Chief Minister said that spread across approximately 32 hectares and maintained through a collaborative ecosystem of growers and industry stakeholders, Keukenhof represents a highly structured, export-oriented horticulture model integrating production, tourism, and global marketing. He said that the visit provided valuable insights for Punjab in developing floriculture clusters, strengthening export linkages, and promoting agri-tourism through a coordinated and market-driven approach. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that learnings from both visits are expected to support Punjab’s transition towards high-value, technology-driven agriculture, with a focus on sustainability, productivity enhancement, and diversification of the agricultural economy.
The Chief Minister said that this visit will go a long way in strengthening economic cooperation and promoting Punjab as a preferred investment destination. Showcasing the Industrial and Business Development Policy (IBDP) 2026 of the state, he said that it offers a comprehensive and flexible incentive framework supported by sector-specific policies and a strong ease of doing business ecosystem. Through these engagements, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab aims to build long-term technology-led partnerships, facilitate knowledge exchange, and position itself as a progressive, innovation-driven, and globally competitive hub for sustainable agriculture.
