LUDHIANA, MARCH 22:-----
S. Sucha Singh Langah, Minister for Agriculture, Punjab inaugurated the Regional Kisan Mela of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) at its Regional Research Station (RRS), Gurdaspur, today. He also laid the foundation Stone of College of Agriculture on the campus of RRS. The College will offer six year B.Sc. programme admission for which will be made from the ensuing Academic Session. Addressing a huge gathering of farmers, S. Langah described the College as a great gift for people of Gurdaspur. "Since education is the key to the development, the establishment of the College will open new vistas for the development in this region", he observed. Promising all the support-administrative and financial, to the College, the
Minister announced that Rs 10 crores will be given for it in the next
financial year.
Highlighting the problems in the face of Punjab Agriculture, S. Langah said that water depletion is a major agrarian constraint and that if needed measures were not taken water crisis can trigger a war in the future. He suggested that water saving is the responsibility of one and all. S. Langah advocated the use of water-wise technologies such as drip irrigation, laser land leveling , underground pipes to carry canal water for irrigating the fields, for which subsidy to farmers is being provided by the state government. Strongly advocating the need for diversification in agriculture, S. Langah said "sticking to paddy-wheat alone will push the farmers toward poverty". The Government, said S. Langah, is taking steps in this direction by establishing Litchi Estate at Gurdaspur and Pear Estate at Amritsar with a budgetary provision of Rs 10 crores for each so that regional growers are fed with holistic technical expertise for these important fruits. Describing farming as a noble profession, S. Langah suggested farmers to encourage their wards in it through imparting them agricultural education at PAU. The moral education is as important as professional education, observed he.
Presiding over the Mela, Dr Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said that in the post green revolution era, agriculture was facingn many challenges and the biggest problem was depletion of the water and
soil nutrients. At the same time, the climatic changes are adversely
affecting our agriculture production. He stressed that the farming was
becoming a costly affair and the farmers must adopt better methods for
cultivation. He urged farmers to follow PAU\'s recommendations since
they are based upon far-reaching research and multi-location field
evaluation studies. He suggested that pulses should be included in the
cropping pattern as it helps enhance soil health besides ensuring
profitability.
He said that PAU scientists and their counterparts at KVKs in the
state are always at the service of farmers. To make agriculture tread
on need-based track, new programmes and collaborations are being
formulated, he said. The recent collaboration is with Washington State
University for PAU faculty to pursue PhD studies.
Dr Kang said, PAU has been adjudged as the 'Best Farm Varsity 2011'
of India' and has been awarded the "Krishi Shiksha Samaan – 2011".
The credit for this achievement not only goes to the untiring efforts
of PAU scientists, but also to the hard work of Punjab farmers, who
have full faith in the university observed he while thanking farmers
and farm women for their massive participation in the Kisan Mela. He
also urged them to encourage their matriculate children to seek
admission in 6-year B.Sc (Agriculture) and Home Science programmes at
PAU.
In his welcome address Dr. M.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education,
PAU said that Kisan Melas organized in different parts of the state
provide opportunities to farmers to interact with the experts of the
University. Besides, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in different
districts provide the services like seed sale, soil & water testing,
disease/ pest diagnosis, etc. to farmers under one roof. He said that
the Mela was special as it had been dedicated to the "World Water Day"
and suggested everyone to pledge to use water most efficiently and
prudently both at home and at farms. He urged the farmers to adopt
techniques which conserve water and soil resources. Dr Gill said that
farmers could get the needed field-worthy information from the PAU
farm literature.
Voicing his concern over the rising cost of cultivation, Dr Gill said
increases cultivation cost was lowering the profitability. Excessive
use of pesticides and fertilizers, not only add to the cost of
cultivation, but were also harmful for the soil and the environment,
he observed. He urged the farmers for their optimum use as per PAU
recommendations. He also urged the farmers to for diversification
adding that the university was recommending the cultivation of Basmati
rice and Spring maize to promote diversification in the state.
Dr SS Gosal, Director of Research, gave an overview of the research
activities of PAU. He said that Gurdaspur Research Station,
established in 1910, was the oldest in the country and is known as the
hot-spot for screening of genotypes against diseases. He said that the
current thrust of PAU was on developing crop varieties which require
less water, less fertilizer and are resistant to disease and pest
attack. It is developing farm machinery to bring precision and
timeliness in operations. Leaf Colour Chart for need-based fertilizer
N applications in paddy and maize, has been recommended, he said,
adding that research on bee- keeping, and crop biotechnology was also
going on. He said that the Gurdaspur area being apt for fruits and
vegetables the farmers should adopt these to diversify agriculture.
The PAU will supply seed tubers of potato (Varieties Kufri Jyoti and
Kufri Sindhri), improved clones of poplar and wheat variety PBW 621
from ensuing season.
A cultural programme and Bhangra were presented by students of PAU
Institute of Agriculture, Gurdaspur. A large number of farmers visited
the demonstrations and exhibits organized to project new farm
technologies. Besides field demonstrations on recent varieties,
technological stalls (78) by different departments showcased the
latest technologies for crops. The seeds of latest varieties,
agro-industrial exhibition attracted farmers\' attention. Farmers'
queries were addressed by experts in the question-answer session. Dr
P.S.Bagga, Director RRS, Gurdaspur proposed vote of thanks to the
Chief Guest, dignitaries and farmers.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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