Chandigarh, November 9 — Farmers cultivating litchi in Punjab are witnessing a steady rise in income following state initiatives that support production, infrastructure, and export readiness. The government has rolled out multiple subsidy schemes and capacity-building programs to promote litchi as a viable alternative to traditional crops.
Officials said a 50 percent subsidy is being offered on packaging boxes and crates, along with assistance up to ₹50,000 per hectare for polyhouse sheet replacement and ₹10,000 per acre for drip irrigation systems. Around ₹50 crore is being spent to strengthen the cold chain, while packhouses established in Pathankot and Gurdaspur have reduced post-harvest losses and costs by nearly half.
“To meet export standards, 5,000 farmers have been trained under GlobalGAP certification through Krishi Vigyan Kendras,” an agriculture department officer said. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is also offering subsidies of ₹5–10 per kilogram on air cargo, officials added.
Farmers in the export clusters are now reportedly earning between ₹2 lakh and ₹3 lakh per acre, with overall incomes increasing by 20 to 30 percent in recent years. The state’s efforts to secure a GI tag for Pathankot litchi are expected to open new markets and strengthen branding.
Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and neighboring districts have emerged as focal points of litchi cultivation, supported by improved irrigation and cold storage facilities. With sustained export demand and better infrastructure, Punjab’s horticulture sector is gradually turning into a profitable alternative for small and medium farmers.
