IEP Chandigarh
Farmers of South Haryana will grow tomatoes and cucumbers on the ‘Bel’ (Vine), these plants are being prepared in the semi-arid Indo-Israeli Horticulture Centre of Excellence established at village Gignow in Bhiwani district.
Based on the latest technology of this centre, 16-17 structures have been made, where the plants will not be affected by severe cold and heat stroke. Here 35 to 40 lakh saplings will be prepared simultaneously. It also has a structure based on German technology which will automatically open according to the need of air and water to the plant. This centre of excellence will not only show the way to the farmers of Loharu region of Bhiwani district but also of the entire South Haryana, but will also become a guide for the farmers of the entire state.
It is worth mentioning that a centre of excellence for semi-arid horticulture has been set up in village Gignow of Loharu region, which was inaugurated about two weeks back on January 22, 2023. This Centre of Excellence, built in about 50 acres, has cost more than Rs. 12 crores.
17 types of different structures have been made here, in which there is a grafting structure, which will give favourable temperatures to the plant in both winter and summer. Saplings of pomegranate, papaya and vegetables will be prepared here. Similarly, temperature and humidity are controlled in hi-tech greenhouse. Here a naturally ventilated polyhouse has been built, which is based on German technology. It opens automatically according to the need of sunlight and air required for the plant to nurture. This is the only net house in Haryana, which has been installed in Gignow village. Similarly, two Poly Net houses have been built here. Polythene protects from rain and net from insects, red-yellow and green capsicum and vine tomato and cucumber plants will be prepared in it. Two net houses have been built here, in which air is properly regulated. Concrete beds have been made in it, which will be prepared with a drip irrigation system through an aero dripper for fruit plants like Kinnow, Malta, Lemon, Pomegranate, Guava, Fig, Dragon fruit etc.
A block is also being made in this centre of excellence, in which big plants of Kinnu-Malta etc. will be prepared through innovative techniques. A walk-in tunnel has been made here, this structure is a tunnel type structure, in which vine tomatoes, cucumbers, all three types of capsicum and strawberries will be cultivated. This tunnel will provide protection to the plant in extreme cold and heat. Drip irrigation has been installed in all these structures. A vermicomposting unit was also set up here, in which a model of natural farming will be prepared on a part of this centre by preparing vermicompost. A shed has been prepared for beekeeping.
In this hi-tech green house, 30 to 40 lakhs vegetable plants are being prepared. Here, date palm, pomegranate, guava, almond, citrus, jujube, pomegranate, dragon fruit and malta plants are being planted in 20 acres. Irrigation in vegetables and fruits has been arranged through micro-irrigation method, from where two tanks of 62 lakh liters each have been made for agriculture-horticulture on the method of micro-irrigation to the farmers.
Goal is to enhance the state’s horticultural area by 17 lakh acres by 2030 – Agriculture Minister J P Dalal
Haryana Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, Sh. J.P. Dalal said that the Centre of Excellence for Horticulture is being built in village Gignow. He added that it will prove to be a milestone in the prosperity of farmers. The budget for horticulture has been increased manifold in the state. Now the day is not far when the products of the farmers of Haryana will be exported to America and other countries. Goal is to enhance the state’s horticultural area by 17 lakh acres by 2030, he added.