Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur
Marking a major step towards crop diversification and enhanced farmer income, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Monday flagged off the first export consignment of 15 tonnes of green chillies from village Hakumat Singh Wala to Dubai. The initiative has been driven by farmers associated with the Saragarhi Farmers Producer Company Limited, reflecting a growing shift towards high-value agriculture in the region.
Describing the moment as a milestone for Punjab’s farming community, Sandhwan said that access to international markets would not only strengthen the economic position of farmers but also motivate others to move beyond the conventional wheat-paddy cycle. He expressed optimism that such efforts would pave the way for sustainable and profitable farming practices.
Punjab has emerged as a significant producer of green chillies, with cultivation spread across nearly 19,661 hectares and an annual production of around 2.94 lakh metric tonnes. Districts like Ferozepur, Patiala, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, SBS Nagar and Hoshiarpur contribute substantially, with Ferozepur leading the chart with over 2,700 hectares under cultivation. The sector supports thousands of families, generating large-scale direct and indirect employment.
Highlighting the role of government initiatives, Sandhwan noted that consistent efforts by the Horticulture Department and district administration are encouraging farmers to adopt vegetable cultivation as a reliable alternative. He also acknowledged the contribution of the SANN Foundation, led by Rajya Sabha MP Dr Bikramjit Singh Sahney, in supporting farmer groups and strengthening such export-oriented ventures.
Congratulating the farmers, he urged them to continue adopting innovative practices and inspire others to diversify for better returns. Progressive farmers associated with the initiative were also honoured during the event.
Among those present on the occasion were PAU Ludhiana Vice Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, MLAs Fauja Singh Sarari and Ranbir Singh Bhullar, along with officials from the agriculture and horticulture departments and members of the farming community.
