Gandhinagar: Gujarat continues to strengthen its position as a national leader in modern horticulture, driven by innovation, technology adoption, and farmer empowerment. As part of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has established 58 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across India — with 4 key centres located in Gujarat that are transforming fruit and vegetable cultivation in the region.
These CoEs serve as technology hubs, promoting research-based best practices, high-quality planting materials, and skill development. Backed by bilateral cooperation with countries like Israel, Netherlands, and New Zealand, and in collaboration with Indian research institutions such as ICAR, these centres are revolutionising horticultural practices from the ground up.
Vadrad CoE: Over 14 Million Vegetable Seedlings Distributed
Established in 2015, the Centre of Excellence for Protected Cultivation and Precision Farming on Vegetables at Vadrad, Sabarkantha has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable horticulture in North Gujarat.
- 14 million+ vegetable seedlings produced and distributed with up to 90% germination success
- Over 1.13 lakh farmers and officers trained through workshops, exposure visits, and ToT programmes
- 18 frontline demonstrations held annually, showcasing best practices and new technologies
- Regular residential training and knowledge-sharing events help bridge the research–field gap
This centre’s emphasis on precision farming, protected cultivation, and capacity-building has made it a model for horticulture development nationwide.
Visnagar CoE: Citrus and Vegetable Innovation Hub
Located in Mehsana district, the Centre of Excellence on Vegetables and Citrus at Visnagar offers state-of-the-art infrastructure including:
- 2 Net houses (1,800 sq.m.), 4 Poly tunnels (1,800 sq.m.), and a Fan-pad poly house (1,100 sq.m.)
- Advanced cultivation of climate-suitable lemon varieties and disease-free seedlings
- Demonstrations of drip irrigation, fertigation, and protected farming techniques
This CoE also runs specialised training programmes on citrus production, pruning, nursery management, pest control, and organic farming, helping both farmers and landless labourers improve skills and livelihood opportunities.
Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference to Spotlight Horticulture Milestones
As part of the build-up to Vibrant Gujarat 2025, a Regional Conference is scheduled in Mehsana district on October 9–10, focused on horticultural development and networking opportunities in North Gujarat.
The conference will:
- Showcase successful models from CoEs
- Facilitate dialogue between farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and policymakers
- Highlight Gujarat’s contribution to Viksit Bharat @2047, with agriculture as a key pillar
Through its CoEs and progressive agricultural policies, Gujarat is leading the way in building a modern, resilient, and self-reliant horticulture ecosystem that empowers farmers, enhances productivity, and promotes climate-smart agriculture.
