An agreement has been reached between the Punjab government and the Netherlands to establish a horticulture training center in Punjab. Technology-based farming will be promoted, modeled after the World Horticulture Center.

Horticulture Training Center in Punjab: Farmers will receive high-tech training modeled after the Netherlands’ World Horticulture Center, a major decision

Chandigarh: To transform the fortunes of Punjab’s farmers and diversify crops, the government under the leadership of Chief Minister is taking a major step. Under a strategic agreement, the Punjab government is fully prepared to establish a horticulture training center and a dedicated experience center in Punjab, modeled after the Netherlands’ ‘World Horticulture Center’ (WHC) ecosystem. The main aim of this center is to make traditional farming in the state technology-based and profitable.

Study of the Netherlands’ Agricultural Model

The Chief Minister is currently on a tour of the Netherlands for investment promotion outreach. During this trip, he visited leading institutions including the World Horticulture Center in Westland and the world-famous Keukenhof in Lisse. These institutions are world leaders in sustainable farming, floriculture, and high-capacity agricultural systems. Proposing the idea of establishing a horticulture training center in Punjab, the Chief Minister stated that this center will bring researchers, academic institutions, industry, and government onto a single platform to deliver skill development and modern solutions to the state.

Emphasis on Technology and Water Management

Praising the Netherlands’ greenhouse ecosystem, the Chief Minister said that productivity there has greatly increased due to robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and modern irrigation systems. Through the horticulture training center in Punjab, Punjab’s farmers will also be trained in efficient water use, reducing dependence on pesticides, and greenhouse farming. Adopting this model will allow Punjab’s farmers to break free from the cycle of water-intensive crops and increase their income.

Development of Floriculture and Agri-Tourism

During the visit to Keukenhof, the Chief Minister studied the management model of the world’s largest flower exhibition. This model, spread over 32 hectares, integrates production, tourism, and global marketing. With the establishment of the horticulture training center in Punjab, focus will also be placed on developing floriculture clusters and promoting agri-tourism in the state. The government is keen to welcome large investments in this sector under the state’s ‘Industrial and Business Development Policy (IBDP) 2026’.

The Chief Minister added that the technological partnership and knowledge exchange resulting from this visit will help establish Punjab as a globally competitive agricultural hub.

Key Highlights:

A high-tech horticulture training center, similar to the Netherlands, will be established in Punjab.

The goal is to modernize farming through greenhouses, robotics, and AI.

Special emphasis on water conservation and pesticide-free farming.

Exports and tourism will get a boost through floriculture.

Upcoming Vision:

Preparation to develop Punjab as a global investment destination.

Incentives to turn farmers from traditional farming towards high-value crops.

Creation of new opportunities under Punjab’s 2026 industrial policy.

The establishment of the horticulture training center in Punjab will bring revolutionary changes to Punjab’s agricultural economy and connect farmers with world-class technology.

Punjab

Punjab is a historical and cultural region straddling India and Pakistan, known as the “Land of Five Rivers” and the birthplace of Sikhism. Its history includes the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, the rise of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and a significant role in India’s independence movement, culminating in its partition in 1947. Today, it is renowned for its vibrant culture, agriculture, and the iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country in Northwestern Europe known for its flat landscape, canals, windmills, and tulip fields. Historically, it was a major maritime power during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, establishing global trade networks and colonies. Today, it is a constitutional monarchy with a rich cultural heritage, including famous artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

World Horticulture Center

The World Horticulture Center, located in Yangling, Shaanxi, China, was established as a key venue for the 2011 Xi’an International Horticultural Exposition. It showcases global horticultural achievements and promotes ecological awareness, featuring diverse plant displays and innovative garden designs. The site has since evolved into a permanent cultural and educational hub, blending botanical science with international exchange.

Westland

Westland, also known as the West Coast region of New Zealand’s South Island, is a rugged area famed for its dramatic glaciers, rainforests, and coastline. Its history includes early Māori settlement for pounamu (greenstone), followed by European gold rushes in the 1860s that brought rapid but short-lived population booms. Today, it is preserved largely as the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area, highlighting both its natural beauty and cultural significance.

Keukenhof

Keukenhof, also known as the “Garden of Europe,” is one of the world’s largest and most famous flower gardens, located in Lisse, Netherlands. Originally designed in the 15th century as the hunting grounds and herb garden for a castle, it was transformed into a public flower exhibition in 1950. Today, it showcases over seven million bulbs of tulips, hyacinths, and other spring flowers, attracting visitors from around the globe each spring.

Lisse

Lisse is a town in the Netherlands famous for the Keukenhof Gardens, one of the world’s largest flower gardens, which showcases millions of tulips and other bulbs each spring. Historically, the area was a hunting ground and estate for nobility in the 15th century, with the Keukenhof (“kitchen garden”) originally providing herbs for the nearby Teylingen Castle. Today, Lisse is a key center for the Dutch flower bulb industry, attracting tourists from around the globe.