In order to promote crop perfsication in the state by optimally utilizing the capacity of juicing plants run by the Punjab Agro Juices Limited (PAJL), the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal sanctioned Rs 3.73 crore for the purchase of ultra modern machinery required for the up-gradation of both these plants at Abohar and Hoshiarpur Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that Mr. Badal cleared the file to this effect, this morning. As per the decision, the Chief Minister gave nod to install Poly Citrus, Poly press and Photofinisher machines worth Rs 1.77 crore besides Fruit and vegetable compressor machine at Abohar plant to be utilized for processing of chilly (Red and Green), Ginger, Garlic, Onion and carrot at a cost of Rs 51 lakh. Likewise, he also approved the setting up of two dryers for making the residue of fruits and vegetables saleable. In order to package the juices produced from these juicing plants, Mr. Badal also gave a go ahead for setting up bottling plant at a cost of Rs 75 lakh in Hoshiarpur.
It may be recalled that these efforts of the state government were in consonance with its flagship program of perfsication of agriculture coupled with value addition to ensure remunerative returns to the fruit and vegetable growers. The Juicing plants set up by the state government at Abohar and Hoshiarpur have processed a record 15000 tonnes of tomatoes and other fruits like watermelon, litchi and pears during this year. Likewise, the state government has set a target of processing 10000 tonnes of kinnows in the coming season. The Chief Minister's approval for fresh funds would help upgrading the facilities at both these plants, which would result in processing of kinnows with improved and latest technology.
With equipping up of both these plants with the high end technology the processing of maximum fruits of Punjab like watermelon, pears, litchi, guava, carrot and others would be ensured to enhance its value addition on one hand and to ensure handsome returns to cultivators on the other. With the setting up bottling plants the processing and marketing of the ready to serve drinks in retail packaging would be facilitated. The up-gradation and strengthening of both these plants would go a long way in promoting the horticulture in the state thereby saving the only available natural resources of the state in terms of fertile soil and water besides supplementing the income of the farmers. The latest machinery and infra structure in these juicing plants would provide an opportunity to the PAJL to establish their products as premium brands to enable them to compete with the national and global players like Hindustan UniLever Ltd, Cremica, Pagro Foods, Del Monte, Capricorn and Mother Diary, which were already using this state-of-the art technology.