On 23 Aug Punjab Government has announced to set up Post Graduate Institute of Horticulture Research and Education at Amritsar.

Horticulture department spokesperson said, that once this institute come up, Punjab will become a leading state in horticulture research and the crop diversification projects will scale new heights.

Under National Horticulture Mission, the government is committed to provide basic amenities to improve the productivity by quality germplasm and planting material. It also wants to promote efficiency through micro-irrigation, the spokesperson said.

As a result, horticulture production would enhance to augment farmer's income and strengthen nutritional security, he said.

A high-powered team comprising officials from Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), state horticulture department and Punjab Agricultural University have visited half-a-dozen locations for setting up this Institute at Amritsar, near the mixed fruit orchard at Attari on the international border.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/