Maharana Pratap Horticultural University: Foundation Stone of Main Campus Laid in Karnal to Focus on Advanced Horticultural Research & Education

On December 9, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University (MHU) in Uchani, Karnal, Haryana. The event, broadcast live from Panipat, marks a significant milestone in advancing horticultural education and research in the region. With an estimated project cost of Rs 700 crores, Rs 421 crores have been allocated specifically for the main campus construction. This initiative is set to transform horticultural education, research, and extension services, fostering growth and innovation in the sector.

The ceremony, held in the presence of Haryana Governor and MHU Chancellor Bandaru Dattatraya, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, Minister of State of Power and Heavy Industries Krishan Pal Gurjar and other dignitaries, highlighted the university's potential to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainable development. Over 500 farmers and officials gathered at the campus site to witness the event chaired by Dr. Suresh Kumar Malhotra, MHU’s Vice-Chancellor.

Spanning 65 acres along National Highway-44, the state-of-the-art campus will feature academic and administrative blocks, hostels, staff quarters, guest facilities, auditoriums, and recreational spaces. The university will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs specializing in fruits, vegetables, floriculture, and landscape gardening. It also houses six regional research stations across Haryana, addressing location-specific horticultural needs and driving crop diversification.

As the seventh horticultural university in India, MHU is poised to play a transformative role in advancing the state’s agricultural landscape. By focusing on key areas such as fruit science, vegetable crops, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, and medicinal plants, the university aims to boost farmers’ incomes and generate employment opportunities. It also seeks to empower women and youth through targeted initiatives, aligning with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The foundation stone-laying ceremony coincided with the launch of the Bima Sakhi Yojana, reinforcing the government’s commitment to empowering the farming community. Governor Bandaru Dattatraya praised the project as a beacon of progress for Haryana, while Vice-Chancellor Dr. Malhotra emphasized its potential to address emerging challenges in agriculture through cutting-edge research and innovation.

The establishment of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University marks a new era of opportunities, not just for Haryana but for the nation's agricultural future.