CHANDIGARH: In a move that could completely transform the face of agricultural marketing in Punjab, the State Government would set up three 'Market Terminals' with global linkages and high-tech infrastructure in Public Private Partnership ( PPP) mode in Hoshiarpur Ludhiana and Muktsar district at an estimated cost of over Rs.500 crore. 

The move would provide the facility of direct access to the growers of fruit and vegetables in Punjab and is likely to lead to a production boom in fruit and vegetable production reliving pressure from traditional crop pattern besides to check the decline in water table as the citrus was less water intensive. These terminal markets would be equipped with the facilities of cold chain, grading centre and online marketing access for assured marketing support to the growers.  

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting under the Chairmanship Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and the Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture held here in CMO. It was also decided in the meeting to set up four wholesale markets of fruits and vegetable to ensure better marketing support and logistics to the growers.   For better orchard management, the latest equipment such as sprayers, pruners, graders and harvesting machines would be imported under the pilot project to be fully funded by GoI under 'National Horticultural Mission'.  Five citrus development centres in the state shall be strengthened by creating cold storage facilities to improve the shelf life of the citrus fruit. The development of the horticulture in the state will create opportunities for employment generation both for skilled and unskilled workers.   

Badal emphasised the need to develop horticulture in a big way as it would immensely contribute towards the diversification of State agriculture.  He urged the officers of Ministry of Agriculture to provide technical support and financial assistance to the state in implementing the National Horticulture Mission in the state to herald a citrus revolution in the state.   The Chief Minister also requested the Ministry of Agriculture to provide assistance in setting up of two de-bittering plants being set up by the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation at Hoshiapur and Abohar to improve the quality of citrus juice to improve its acceptability in the international market.  

The meeting was attended by the team of officers from Centre comprising SM Desalphine, Additional Secretary Horticulture, Mr.JS Patnaik, Joint Secretary National Horticulture Mission, Mr.UKS Chouhan, Joint Secretary Agriculture Marketing, besides Media Advisor Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary RI Singh, Financial Commissioner Development GS Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minster DS Guru, Director Agriculture BS Sidhu and Director Horticulture Kulbir Singh.