Haryana announces new horticulture policy for 2025-26

Chandigarh: Haryana’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana, unveiled a new horticulture policy for the 2025-26 financial year. The new policy is set to concentrate on value addition, storage, technology, marketing, and the promotion of both natural and organic horticulture through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The government has been trying to remove differences between FPOs registered as companies and those functioning as cooperative societies so that both can equally benefit from government schemes.

Speaking at the 11th Mega Vegetable Expo in Gharaunda, Rana highlighted new initiatives to support farmers. On Women’s Day, the government introduced an interest-free loan scheme for women farmers. Under this scheme, women taking loans up to ₹1 lakh for setting up dairy units will not have to pay interest, as the government will cover it. He also mentioned that agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries schemes will be made more women-centric.

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To boost research in horticulture, a Horticulture Research Centre has been opened in Chandsauli, Ambala, and another will be set up in Palwal in 2025-26. The Horticulture Mission, currently active in 19 districts, will be expanded to Faridabad, Rewari, and Kaithal.

Besides this, it is expected that an advanced air-conditioned flower market is to be set up in Gurugram and, for the promotion of horticulture exports, an air cargo warehouse is to be established at Hisar Airport. The Haryana government has been trying to improve the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal, extending intercropping facilities to all crops from 2026.