Patiala, March 21:

A Japanese delegation visited advanced horticulture projects in Patiala district as part of a proposal initiated by the Director of Horticulture, Punjab, under the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) project. The purpose of the visit was to explore agricultural diversification in Punjab and seek solutions to the declining groundwater levels in the region.

The survey team from Japan included Togo Sinohara, a horticulture expert; Yasushi Fukuda, a groundwater conservation specialist; and Ms. Ri Kitao, an environmental expert. They were accompanied by Dr. Sandeep Singh Grewal, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Patiala, along with his team members — Dr. Harinderpal Singh (In-charge, Guava Estate), Dr. Kulwinder Singh (Horticulture Development Officer, Sangrur), and Dr. Dilpreet Singh Dulea (Mission Secretary, Patiala).

During their visit, the team explored several notable horticultural projects across the district. At the Guava Estate in Wajidpur, they observed soil and water testing facilities along with rental machinery available for planting and spraying fruit trees. At Biocarve Seeds in Dhablan, the delegation learned about contract farming practices in which imported flower seeds are cultivated locally and later purchased from farmers. Dr. Ala Rang provided detailed insights into this innovative approach. The team then visited Uni Agri in Mund Khera (Patiala), where Ashwani Singla and Parvinder Singh demonstrated their work in producing G-0 tissue culture seed potatoes.

Additionally, the team visited M/s High Line Foods in Samana, where Gaurav Jindal and Amit Kumar briefed them about their large-scale operations, producing 600 tons of compost monthly and yielding 1,500 tons of mushrooms annually. The visit concluded at the Salubris Mushroom Unit in Gajislar (Samana), where Balraj Singh showcased the “Malwa Button Mushroom” brand. He explained how the mushrooms are canned to maintain freshness during the hot summer months, ensuring better marketability.

The Japanese delegation expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Punjab Horticulture Department to promote horticultural practices among farmers. They also praised the innovative methods adopted by the various units they visited. The visit concluded with the Deputy Director of Horticulture, Patiala, and his team extending their gratitude to the Japanese team for their valuable insights and keen interest in Punjab’s agricultural development.