COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AT GURDASPUR

new College of Agriculture will soon be established at Gurdaspur. This was disclosed by S.Sucha Singh Langah, Minister for Agriculture, Punjab while inaugurating the Regional Kisan Mela at Regional Research Station of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) at Gurdaspur, today. PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr.Manjit Singh Kang presided over.

Sardar Langah said that Regional Research Station has completed hundred years of excellent service to the farmers. By opening a new college, the need of the people of this region for higher education in agriculture will be met. The Minister said that he will impress upon the Chief Minister, Punjab to provide funds and land for the college at the earliest. He was hopeful that admission will commence from the next academic session and the college will offer B.Sc. and M.Sc. programmes in agriculture.

Addressing the farmers, S. Langah said that by producing food for the nation, Punjab farmers have transformed India from a food deficit country to a food surplus one. However, some new problems have emerged and the profitability of farming has lowered, he said. To increase their production and profitability farmers must adopt new technologies developed by PAU, he observed adding that a constant liaison with university scientists must be maintained through KVKs, FASS and even through mobile phones. "By following scientists' recommendations only, you will be able to earn more profits" he advised.

S. Langah further said that preservation of natural resources of water, soil and environment are very important. "We must save them to save Punjab" he remarked. To save the environment from pollution, he advised the farmers not to burn their crop residues in the fields. Law against burning of crop residues might be enforced soon, he hinted.

Addressing the farmers, Dr. Kang said that conservation of natural resources of soil and water besides maintaining cleaner environment are the issues of prime concern. He pleaded the farmers not to burn their paddy straw in the fields. "By burning paddy straw you are polluting the environment and also wasting precious nutrients which otherwise can be used to enrich the soils" he told the farmers, adding that one tonne of paddy straw contains 6 kg. Nitrogen, one kg. Phosphorus and 12 kg. Potash. "By burning 1.5 lac tonnes of paddy straw every year, you are wasting nutrients worth Rs.200 crores" he said. Dr.Kang advised that by using Happy Seeder technology the straw can be incorporated into soil thus saving environment and making the soil healthy. He congratulated the Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur for completing 100-years of research in which the Centre contributed towards the development of about 60 new varieties.

Earlier, welcoming the Chief Guest, Guests and farmers, PAU Director of Extension Education Dr. M.S. Gill said that Punjab farmers have played a key role in bringing Green Revolution in the country. By adopting new technologies, that ensure efficient use of inputs and preservation of natural resources, Punjab farmers should set an example for the farmers in other states to follow. Dr. Gill informed that University, through its 17 KVKs and 12 FASS was imparting necessary knowledge of modern farming methods to farmers. Efforts are being made to promote diversification in the State with a focus on vegetable cultivation, he said.

PAU Director of Research Dr.S.S.Gosal highlighted upon the research achievements of the university and informed that several new varieties have been released this year. He said that newly released variety of durum wheat PDW-314 is suitable for making bakery products and noodles. The new summer moong variety SML-832 is resistant to virus and gives high yield. Similarly, varieties of tomato namely, Punjab Varkha Bahar-1, Punjab Varkha Bahar-2 and Punjab Ratta are early in maturity. He informed that future research at the university is aimed to develop varieties that are tolerant to heat, frost and drought. He further informed that efforts are also on to develop hybrid varieties of rice.

The VIPs present on this occasion included Shri Prithi Chand, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur; Dr. R.K. Mahey, Registrar, PAU; Dr.M.S.Aulakh, Dean, College of Agriculture, PAU; Sh.A.C.Rana, Comptroller, PAU ; Sh.Sutantar Kumar Airy, Chief Agriculture Officer, Gurdaspur; S. Gursharan Singh Chhina, Deputy Director(Horticulture), Gurdaspur; S. Tarlok Singh Dugri, DPRO, Gurdaspur; and Sh.Baljinder Singh Dhakala.

The seeds of latest varieties of cereals, pulses and vegetables attracted farmers' attention. Farmers were keen for vegetables kits and PAU farm literature. Dr.P.S.Bagga, Director, Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur thanked the Chief Guest, dignitaries and farmers for their participation and enthusiasm in the Mela.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com