Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Punjab MP Urges Centre to Establish Central Horticultural University
A long time ago, in 2015, a plan was made to build a special university in Punjab to help farmers grow more fruits and vegetables.
This university was supposed to help farmers make more money and learn new ways to farm.
But, the university hasn't been built yet because there have been problems with getting the land needed.
Now, a person named Satnam Singh Sandhu, who works in the government, is asking the central government to finally build this university.
He says it will help farmers in Punjab a lot and make the state better at growing fruits and vegetables.
Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu urged the Centre to establish a Central Horticultural University in Punjab by upgrading the PGIHRE in Amritsar.
The PGIHRE was proposed by then-finance minister Arun Jaitley in the 2015-16 budget to promote horticulture and diversify agriculture in Punjab.
The project has been delayed for 10 years due to land acquisition issues, with construction yet to begin.
The university aims to boost Punjab's horticulture economy, farmer incomes, and technology transfer to farmers and agro-industries.
The institute is planned to be built on 130 acres of land with an investment of about Rs 2,000 crore.
- Who
- Satnam Singh Sandhu, Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab
- What
- Urged the Centre to establish a Central Horticultural University in Punjab
- When
- During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha
- Where
- Punjab, India
- Why
- To promote horticulture, boost farmer incomes, and diversify agriculture in Punjab
- Proposed By
- Arun Jaitley
- Year Proposed
- 2015-16
- Location
- Amritsar, Punjab
- Land Area
- 130 acres
- Investment
- Rs 2,000 crore
- Horticulture Scientist Posts
- 206
- Horticulture Produce Growth
- Rs 6,267 crore (2011) to Rs 26,580 crore (2026)