Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Unveils Asia’s Largest Modern Fruit and Vegetable Market in Pinjore
The Voice of Chandigarh:
Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the first phase of Asia’s largest modern apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore, district Panchkula, and provided several benefits for the welfare of farmers and traders. To boost business in the modern apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore, the Chief Minister also announced the reduction of market fees from 1 percent to 0.5 percent.
Besides this, he also announced the expansion of the Haryana Mukhyamantri Kisan Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Jiwan Suraksha Yojana, 2013, increasing the upper age limit from the current 10 to 65 years to now 10 to 75 years. The Chief Minister said that previously, no compensation was provided for accidents caused by lightning strikes on farmers and farm labourers. Now, such accidents will also be covered under this scheme.
The Chief Minister said that under the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen Scheme, government has decided to open 100 canteens in the state to provide subsidised meals at Rs 10 per plate throughout the year to farmers and labourers. So far, 48 canteens have been operational. He further announced that other canteens will also be opened soon.
Regarding the Vivadon Ka Samadhan policy, he announced that no compound interest will be charged from all plot holders in the market yard and all outstanding amounts will be calculated at simple interest only. Additionally, no penal interest will be charged if the instalment is paid within 20 days of the due date. He also announced the abolition of HRDF on all fruits and vegetables and extended the Vivadon Ka Samadhan scheme till September 30, 2024.
CM laid the foundation stone for the construction and repair works of markets at a cost of Rs 15.68 crore
Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new grain market at village Sagga in district Karnal, costing Rs 8.99 crore, and the special repair works of Babain grain market in district Kurukshetra, costing Rs 6.69 crore, to maintain various basic facilities. He also announced a grant of Rs 5 crore for various development works in the Kalka Assembly constituency.
The second phase of the market will be completed by December 31, 2024
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the modern apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore will be the largest modern market in Asia. Spread over 78 acres, the construction of this market will cost Rs 220 crore. The first phase has been constructed at a cost of Rs 14.66 crore over 10 acres. The second phase is under progress and will be completed by December 31, 2024. He said that the establishment of this market will benefit the fruit and vegetable farmers and traders of Haryana, as well as the apple growers and traders from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Traders can buy and sell fruits and vegetables in the Pinjore market instead of Delhi
The Chief Minister said that an average of 210 lakh quintals of fruits and vegetables are brought to various markets in Haryana annually. Currently, the largest apple market is in Sector-20, Panchkula. Apple trading started in this market in 2016, with about 35 lakh boxes of apples traded annually. Apples are brought to this market from August to November. Due to insufficient space in the Panchkula market, this large market is being established in Pinjore. Previously, Haryana’s fruit traders bought fruits from Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir and sold them directly in Delhi. Now, with the establishment of this market, traders can buy and sell fruits and vegetables here. Farmers in this region will also benefit. This market will meet the needs of Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, and the northern region. He said that 77 shops and plots have been sold through e-auction in this apple market. The establishment of this market will provide modern facilities for the maintenance and trading of fruits and vegetables to traders and producers.
The establishment of this market will increase business and create employment opportunities in this region, CM
The Chief Minister said that Pinjore, being the gateway to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh, will become a major centre for apple trade. Apple traders from Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir are in contact with the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board for apple trade, thus making Pinjore a central hub for apple trade. He said that the establishment of this apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore will increase business and create employment opportunities in this region.
Work is underway on the construction and improvement of 14 new markets at a cost of Rs 100 crore
The Chief Minister said that the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board has spent Rs. 2,322 crore on the construction, expansion, and upgradation of new markets during the current government’s tenure. At present, work is underway on the construction and improvement of 14 new markets at a cost of Rs. 100 crore. An international-level horticulture market is being established in Ganaur. Similarly, a flower market is being established in Gurugram at a cost of Rs 25 crore. A spice market is being established in Sersa, Sonipat, on about 16 acres of land at a cost of Rs 35 crore. The state’s 108 markets have been connected to the e-NAM portal.
He informed that the e-kharid project has been started in the state to bring transparency at all levels of grain purchase, facilitate trade, ensure farmers get the right price for their produce, and ensure timely payment. KIsan Bazar have been started in Sector-20, Panchkula, and Gurugram.
The government has prioritised farmers’ interests and stood by them in every situation
The Chief Minister said that the present state government has prioritised the interests of farmers. The government has stood by farmers in every situation, providing compensation for crop losses due to natural disasters. From Beez se Bazar, the government has provided all possible assistance to farmers. As a result, the state’s grain production increased to 184 lakh 32 thousand metric tons in 2022-23. It is a matter of pride that Haryana ranks second in contributing to the central grain reserve.
He said that the Haryana government has implemented the country’s first ‘Bhavantar Bharpai Scheme’ for crops to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and make them risk-free. Haryana is the only state that purchases 14 crops at MSP from farmers, he added.
He said that so far, Rs 104 crore 89 lakh has been given as incentive to 23,221 farmers. Moreover, millet and sunflowers have also been included in this scheme. So far, Rs 717 crore has been directly deposited into the bank accounts of millet farmers.
Haryana is the first state in the country to start the ‘Mukhyamantri Bagwani Bima Yojana’ to protect farmers’ crops from weather uncertainties. This scheme covers 46 horticultural crops. Insurance is provided for fruits and vegetables with a premium of Rs 750 to Rs 1,000 per acre, with compensation of up to Rs 30,000 for vegetables and Rs 40,000 for fruits. Under the scheme, Rs 27 lakh 71 thousand was collected as premium in 2023-24, and Rs 68 lakh 34 thousand was given as compensation to 92 farmers.
The goal is to double the area under horticulture to 22 lakh acres by 2030
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that in the past nine and a half years, seven Centers of Excellence based on Israeli technology have been established, and work is ongoing on two more. A horticulture university named after Maharana Pratap has been established in Karnal. Currently, about 7 percent of Haryana’s total crop area is under horticulture.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government’s goal is to double the area under horticulture to 22 lakh acres by 2030 and triple the production. For this, horticultural crop cluster development programs are being run, supply chains for fresh fruits and vegetables are being established, pac houses are being set up, and farmer producer organisations are being formed. Additionally, the state government has formulated a food processing policy to promote horticulture. Under this policy, the establishment of agro-based industries is being encouraged. These industries will provide farmers with more remunerative prices for their produce.
The Haryana Trader Welfare Board has been formed to address traders’ issues
The Chief Minister said that the government has formed the Haryana Trader Welfare Board to address traders’ issues as promised. This board acts as a bridge between the government and traders. A group life insurance scheme is being formulated for traders. He said that the online e-refund facility has been started. We rank sixth in the country in the GST collection.
Apples will come for sale in this market from 14 places in Himachal, four in Jammu and Kashmir, and 24 places abroad, Kanwar Pal
Earlier speaking on the occasion, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal said that the inauguration of the first phase of the modern apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore will benefit farmers and traders from Haryana as well as Himachal, Punjab, and Kashmir. He said that apples will come for sale in this market from 14 places in Himachal, four places in Jammu and Kashmir, and 24 places abroad. This market, being on the national highway, will open new avenues for trade. He said that the state government has taken many steps for the welfare of agriculture and farmers. As a result, Haryana has emerged as a leading state in crop production. He said that Haryana is the only state that purchases 14 crops at MSP from farmers, ensuring timely payments, he said.
The Chief Minister also inspected the new premises of the Pinjore fruit and vegetable market and flagged off the transportation of fruits and vegetables from the market. In the first phase of this market, a world-class auction platform has been constructed.
Haryana is a agrarian state, and its people are hardworking, Vidhan Sabha Speaker
Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, expressing gratitude to Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini for inaugurating the first phase of the modern apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore. He said that in the next phase of this market, airconditioned auction halls, fruit ripening centres, packaging units, hotel sites, and essential facilities such as petrol/CNG pumps will be made available.
The Vidhan Sabha Speaker said that this market will benefit not only Haryana but also farmers and traders across the country. He emphasised that Haryana is not just an agricultural leader but also feeds the entire nation. Gian Chand Gupta said that while previous governments discriminated against Panchkula, approximately Rs. 6000 crore worth of development works have been completed in every district in the past decade during the present government’s tenure. ‘Overlooked Panchkula’ has now become ‘Developed Panchkula’.
Meanwhile, former MLA, Kalka constituency Latika Sharma said that the inauguration of the modern apple, fruit, and vegetable market in Pinjore will provide employment opportunities for approximately 10,000 people and establish new standards for farmers. She requested the Chief Minister to organise an apple fair in Pinjore similar to the mango fair held annually and also expressed gratitude to Nayab Singh Saini for allocating Rs. 5 crore for development projects in the Kalka Assembly constituency.
