PAU KISAN MELA AT NAUSHERA PANNUAN (TARN TARAN)

LUDHIANA, SEPTEMBER 25:



The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), today, showcased latest farm technologies for forthcoming rabi season, during its maiden Regional Kisan Mela at Naushera Pannuan, Tarn Taran. The mela, based on the theme "Pawan Guru Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahatt (Conservation of air, water and soil health)," witnessed a rush of farmers for the purchase of vegetable mini kits, seeds of rabi crops and farm literature. The new seeds of wheat varieties "PBW-621, PBW-550, HD-2967 and DBW-17," gobhi sarson "GSC-5 and GSC-6," and raya "RLC -1" were in great demand among the farmers.



The chief guest, S. Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Public Works Department), Punjab, inaugurated the mela and hailed the pivotal role of the PAU in wiping out food deficiency from the country. During his visit to various stalls at the exhibition put up by the different departments of the PAU, he interacted with the farm experts and appreciated the new farm innovations. The tireless efforts of the scientists have brought positive change in Punjab farming, he added.



The guest of honour, S. Hardev Singh Riar, Member of PAU Board of Management, stated, "As agriculture is facing tough competition presently, the farmers should adopt subsidiary occupations such as bee-keeping, nursery production, mushroom growing, etc. in order to get good economic returns." Calling upon the state government to make PAU self-sufficient in terms of finances, he said that the same will benefit Punjab farmers as well as the state. He underlined the need for providing training to the private sellers of agro-chemicals through short-term courses.



In his address, the PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon urged the farmers to make judicious use of farm inputs in order to reduce the cost of cultivation and save environment. Saying that the feedback of the farmers is vital for devising the research programmes of the PAU, he advised the stakeholders not to make use of unrecommended pesticides, weedicides and fungicides. Dr Dhillon also impressed upon the gathering to motivate their children to start their own enterprise by developing marketing sense of agri-produce. The PAU is planning to introduce short-term vocational courses for generating employment opportunities, he told, while advising the rural youths to abstain from superfluous expenditure. Dr Dhillon also urged the farmers to conserve natural resources like water and soil by using resource conservation technologies such as tensiometer, laser land leveler, farm yard manure, compost and recommended bio-fertilizers.



Dr P.S. Chahal, Associate Director of Research, presenting an overview of the research activities of the PAU, said that in view of the emerging challenge of climate change, focus is being laid on developing eco-friendly, cost-effective and need-based technologies. The PAU has recommended the net-house cultivation of brinjal, tomato and capsicum and is, currently laying emphasis on developing fertigation schedule for these crops, he informed. He appealed to the farmers to say no to paddy straw burning. Dr Chahal disclosed that the PAU will supply the certified seeds of potato variety "Kufri Pukhraj" to the farmers from next year.





Earlier, the PAU Director of Extension Education, Dr. M.S. Gill, welcomed the dignitaries and visiting farmers. He expressed great satisfaction over the active participation of the farmers in the Kisan Melas and added that it provides an opportunity to them to discuss their farm issues with the experts. To address the upcoming farm challenges, the farmers should maintain constant liaison with the experts through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Farm Advisory Service Scheme (FASS), PAU Doots and the Regional Stations, he said. Dr Gill divulged that in addition to 17 KVKs, 18 KVK will be established at Tarn Taran.





Dr. H.S. Dhaliwal, Additional Director of Extension Education, proposed vote of thanks. S. Jasbir Singh Dhotian, Chairman Marketing Committee and S. Lakhbir Singh Pannu, Chairman Zila Parishad were also present on the occasion.



Various stalls displayed the farm related products, including pumps, spray machinery, tractors, etc. at agro-industrial exhibition. They also presented a spectrum of new technology innovations and package of practices to the farmers and the farm women. The representatives of PAU departments educated the farmers on various aspects of cultivation of rabi crops.


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