Union Agriculture and farmers Welfare Minister, Mr. Radha Mohan Singh today laid the Foundation stone of Haryana`s first State University of Horticultural Sciences at Karnal. Addressing the audience on this occasion Mr. Singh said that the Horticulture University will fulfill the long pending need of the people of the State.<br/><br/>A full fledged horticultural university will cater the needs to support the gap between teaching, research and extension activities in the state and will establish the convergence and synergy to disseminate latest technology and horticulture education to our young generation, besides identifying strategies for further development.<br/><br/>Mr. Singh said the centre will provide 200 crore rupees for establishment of the university. He said that Haryana holds tremendous potential for horticulture development on account of its fertile lands, favorable climate and water resources. <br/><br/>Minister expected that horticultural crops will be adopted to double the income of the farmers, and help in achieving self-sufficiency. He said that this university is expected to help in improving productivity levels and to adopt appropriate crop diversification to suit the agro climatic conditions of the region.<br/><br/>Mr. Singh said that this University will also act as a skill development centre to cater to the larger demand for trained manpower in the production, post harvest and processing industries. He said that there is a huge scope for agro-processing industries like mango, citrus, aonla, strawberry in fruits and pea, tomato, potato, carrots, garlic, onion in vegetables and mushroom. Mr. Singh further said that due to its proximity to major markets like Delhi and tri-city of Chandigarh it offers an excellent marketing and export channels.