Harvesting success in Punjab’s greenhouses
In Ludhiana district’s village of Saraba, farmer Harbir Singh has turned a simple field into a modern polyhouse—a type of greenhouse—where he grows seedless cucumber, coloured capsicum, melon and potato. The change has lifted his annual earnings to between ₹12 lakh and ₹14 lakh, proving that Punjab’s new farming schemes can pay off.
### How Harbir shifted gears
After earning a degree in electrical engineering, Harbir chose farming over a corporate career. In 2014 he left conventional vegetable plots and enrolled in a training course at the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Kartarpur. Using a grant from the National Horticulture Mission, he built a small polyhouse and started growing high‑value crops. “I kept talking to Horticulture Department officials whenever I faced a problem,” he says. “Their help and my own hard work made this possible.”
Director Horticulture Shailender Kaur praised the farmer on Sunday, noting that Harbir’s success shows how government support can bring real income gains to farmers. “He’s now a model for others in the state,” Kaur said. “We want more farmers to follow his lead.”
### What a polyhouse brings
Punjab Agricultural University’s description sums it up: a greenhouse is a framed structure covered with UV‑stabilised plastic that lets farmers grow crops under controlled conditions. The shelter protects plants from pests, disease and extreme weather and allows cultivation all year round, making supply meet market demand no matter the season.
For Harbir’s crops—capsicum, cucumber, leafy greens and even fruit‑like melons—the climate‑controlled environment means healthier produce with fewer blemishes. The same structure works well for flowering plants too, such as rose, gerbera and lilium.
### Key tips for setting up a greenhouse
– Pick a site that’s well‑drained, flat and not shaded by nearby trees or buildings.
– Keep structures at least three times the height of any nearby obstructions to avoid wind damage.
– Ideal crops include capsicum, tomato, cucumber, lettuces, spinach and flowers that thrive in partial or full shade.
### The bigger picture
Punjab’s Horticulture Department is actively promoting crop diversification through modern technology. By providing subsidies and technical guidance, the government hopes to raise farmer incomes across the state. The success of Harbir Singh shows that with the right support, a simple shift from open‑field gardening to a managed polyhouse can unlock significant profits.
For farmers in Punjab and beyond, the message is clear: modern greenhouse farming is a proven way to grow higher‑priced produce, reduce losses, and secure a steadier income.
Source: ianslive
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