Karnal, March 3: Honorable Shyam Singh Rana, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Fisheries, made a surprise visit to Maharana Pratap Horticulture University, Karnal, located on National Highway 44, on Tuesday. Upon arrival at MHU, Honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Suresh Malhotra welcomed the Agriculture Minister.
During the meeting, Honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Suresh and the Agriculture Minister discussed the government's budget for agriculture. The Agriculture Minister described the budget as farmer-friendly. He stated that the budget takes special care of every sector and includes significant provisions to promote the agricultural sector, which will have long-term consequences. The budget also includes provisions for promoting natural farming and several provisions for horticulture, which will boost horticulture.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Suresh presented the Agriculture Minister with herbal gulal made from flowers and leaves prepared by the MHU's Flower Department, which the Agriculture Minister greatly appreciated. The Agriculture Minister highly commended Vice Chancellor Prof. Suresh's leadership, stating that the University was established in Karnal with a deadline to achieve its objectives. However, under Prof. Suresh's leadership, the University has begun achieving its set goals ahead of schedule.
He stated that MHU is not only working to promote horticulture but is also engaged in developing successful entrepreneurs. Honorable Vice Chancellor Prof. Suresh informed the Agriculture Minister that significant provisions have been made in this budget to promote horticulture techniques, which will bring economic prosperity to farmers. A total of 1,000 acres of land has also been allocated in all districts under smart horticulture techniques such as protected cultivation, aeroponics, hydroponics, greenhouses, vertical farming, and e-pest. Under the Chief Minister Horticulture Insurance Scheme, a provision has been made to increase the amount of compensation for fruit crops damaged due to natural calamities, and also to increase the compensation per acre for vegetables and spices.
Apart from this, to make beekeeping risk-free from natural calamities, a provision has been made to include this business in the Chief Minister Horticulture Insurance Scheme in the year 2026-27. He told the Agriculture Minister that MHU is doing all the research and work that will prove to be transformative in horticulture farming.