PAU KISAN MELA TURNS INTERNATIONAL WITH PARTICIPATION OF FOREIGN SCIENTISTS AND FARMERS

LUDHIANA, MARCH 18:-----



The two-day Kisan Mela of Punjab Agricultural University concluded, today on a melodious note. The Kisan Mela had participation of 300 farmers and farm women from Nepal. Further there was a group of scientists from the Purdue University, USA. Dr. Kashchandra G. Ragothama, Associate Director, International Programmes in Agriculture was the guest of honour. Dr. Kulwinder Gill, Dr. Prema Arasu and Dr. Paul Sueren from Washington State University were also present. Dr. Beant Ahloowalia, a renowned agricultural scientist from Vienna, Austria also participated. The other prominent participants were Dr. M.L.Chadha, Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC), Hyderabad Center and Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Director, Directorate of Floriculture Research, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The Member of PAU Board of Management, Mrs. Urwinder Kaur Grewal also graced the event. The Deans, Directors, Officers, faculty and staff also participated. In addition, thousands of farmers, farm women from Punjab and adjoining states took part in the Mela. One of the participants, Hans Raj from Ranbir Singh Pura area of Jammu and Kashmir said that he is a regular visitor to PAU Kisan Melas since 2003 and has learnt a great deal from it about mushroom growing. He was accompanied by 30 progressive farmers from Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, there were farmers from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and New Delhi.



In his remarks, the Chief Guest, Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU said that the participation of farmers from different parts of the country and abroad is an encouraging sign. Welcoming scientists from Purdue University, Washington State University, Vienna, Austria and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Dr. Kang said that the PAU Kisan Mela is acquiring an international character. He said that even participants were expected from South Africa and Pakistan, this time. He distributed certificates and trophies to the winning entries of produce competition. Dr. Kang accredited farmers for hard work, innovative approach and aptitude for learning and said that they played a significant role toward making the country food secure. The farmers from Nepal presented three saplings of Rudraksh to Dr. Kang and garlanded him with \'Rudraksh Mala\'. Dr. Kang said that the tree saplings was an ideal gift and that these will be planted in Dr. M.S.Swaminathan Heritage Tree Park near the Museum of Social History of Punjab.





The Director of Extension Education, Dr. M.S.Gill thanked farmers, foreign visitors, scientists and employees for their participation in the Kisan Mela in large numbers and for endeavouring to make it a successful Kisan Mela. He said that the next Kisan Mela, last in the series of six Kisan Melas, will be held on March 22 at Gurdaspur.



The Director of Seeds, Dr. S.S.Bal informed that there was a high demand for seeds of different crops varieties developed by PAU. Dr. Jagtar Singh Dhiman, Additional Director of Communication, said that a large number of farmers purchased PAU farm literature and enrolled themselves as members of the farm magazines. Many of the mela visitors had a visit to the Museum of Social History of Punjab.



The mela had renditions of folk songs by eminent singers including Pammi Bai, Veer Sukhwant, Ram Singh Albela, Happy Jassowal, Jenta Gill, Gurjant Handa, Kartar Dhuga, informed Dr. Nirmal Singh Jaura, Deputy Director (Public Relations). He said that with the support of North Zone Cultural Center, the participants of the mela could listen to the traditional songs of Gurmeet Bawa and watch malwai gidha.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com