STAGE SET FOR PAU KISAN MELA BEGINNING TOMORROW

LUDHIANA, MARCH 16:



Stage is all set at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for the two-day Kisan Mela starting tomorrow. The mela will witness the display and field demonstrations of the latest scientific techniques and technologies by the various departments of PAU, besides addressing the agri-queries of the farmers.



The Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics would demonstrate new improved varieties of wheat such as PBW 621 and HD 2967 (Double dwarf varieties for timely sown irrigated conditions), PDW 314 and WHD 943 (both durum wheat, suitable for timely sown irrigated conditions) and WH 1080 (suitable for rain fed conditions).



The Department of Soil Science will provide tips for the use of leaf colour chart (LCC) for need-based nitrogen requirement, use of tensiometer in paddy and maize for water saving and about Bt cotton, etc.



The Department of Horticulture will showcase methods for fruit tree planting with emphasis on digging and filling of pits. Layout systems of orchards, drip irrigation technique for orchard irrigation, plant propagation techniques, seed bed preparation and seed sowing and newly released fruit cultivars will be the other highlights of horticulture department.



The Department of Vegetable Crops will have photographic display of varieties / hybrids of tomato – (TH – 1, Punjab Upma, Castle Rock, Punjab Varkha Bahar – 1, and Punjab Varkha Bahar – 2), Chilli (CH-1 and Ch-3), preserved samples of Muskmelon (MM-28, Punjab Hybrid, Punjab Anmol), onion PRO-6, Punjab Naroya and bulbsets. Display of fresh samples of pea, garlic, carrot, Chinese cabbage and spinach, and demonstration of nursery raising bed will be seen on this occasion.



Besides the demonstration on management of bacterial leaf blight of rice through seed treatment, the Department of Plant Pathology will educate the farmers about management of wheat rusts (yellow rust and brown rust) through resistant varieties, of loose smut and flag smut of wheat through seed treatment and the control of brown stripe and covered smut of barley through seed treatment.



The Department of Floriculture and Landscaping will exhibit fresh and dry flowers, ornamental plants and varieties of gladiolus released which include Punjab Pink Elegance, Punjab Flame, Punjab Glance and Punjab Lemon Delight.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources will disseminate information on cultural management practices of popular-based agro forestry models, their cropping sequence, productivity of improved poplar and eucalyptus clones and provide tips for marketing of poplar and eucalyptus wood.



The Department of Agronomy will give live field demonstrations of Rabi crops including organic farming in wheat, cultivation of aromatic, medicinal and spice crops and efficient use of herbicides and chemical control of grass and broad leaf weeds in heat and barley. Latest technologies on Kharif crops focusing on economically viable and ecologically stable cropping systems, cultivation of fodder crops and water management of crops will be at display.



The Department of Entomology will impart field demonstration of IPM in rabi crops and on vegetable crops, knowledge about safe use of pesticides, bee-keeping while and Department of Food Science and Technology (FST) of processing techniques on the preparation of cereals, fruit, vegetables, milk and meat products. The value-added and health food products and products for sale such as juice, squash and pickles will be exhibited.



Exhibition put up by the College of Home Science will showcase dietary management of diabetes, different printing methods, value addition to farm produce, benefits of raising herbal and kitchen garden, utilization of agricultural waste, adopting innovative technologies in textiles and novel ways to enhance creativity among children. Various competitions in seviyan ( noodles) making, embroidery, preparation of paper bags for the farm women and collage making for the children of the age group 10-12 years will be held during two-day Kisan Mela.

The Departments of Farm Power and Machinery, Processing and Food Engineering and Soil and Water Engineering, will impart latest information on mini rice and its proper use, turmeric processing, agro processing complexes, use of drip and sprinkler irrigation, cultivation of vegetable crops in green-house and rainwater harvesting for rooftop for groundwater recharge. Machines displayed will be laser land leveler, honey extractor, vegetable washing machine, power weeder, moong and groundnut thresher, thresher for vegetables, oilseeds and pulses, sugarcane planter, aeroblast sprayer,etc.



The PAU School of Agricultural Biotechnology (SAB) will sharpen visitors\' skills about agricultural biotechnology, development of transgenic crops, DNA test for varietal identification and mass multiplication of banana through tissue culture. Schools of Information Technology (SIT) will highlight web based decision support system for late blight disease, and other programmes on information and communication technologies. School of Energy Studies for Agriculture (SESA), will equip the farmers with renewable energy technologies for rural application with focus on biogas pants and solar dryers.

The Departments of Microbiology, Zoology and Civil Engineering will put their stalls in the Kisan Mela for the benefit of the farming community.


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