WORKSHOP ON HORTICULTURAL CROPS CONCLUDES AT PAU

LUDHIANA, JANUARY 23:



Detailed deliberations and discussions on fruits, vegetables, floriculture, mushroom cultivation, agricultural engineering and post-harvest management of forestry and horticultural crops marked the concluding day of the two-day "Research and Extension Specialists' Workshop for Vegetable, Fruit and Flower Crops," organized at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

In his inaugural remarks, the Chief Guest, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, called for the attention of the agriculture experts on mushroom cultivation, flower production, farm mechanization, germplasm conservation, agro-forestry, agro-processing and marketing of farm produce. Expressing concern over the problems of crop diversification and farm sustainability being confronted in the Punjab state, he said that livelihood and nutritional security are also becoming the issues of concern in view of teeming population. Therefore, horticulture can play a key role in value addition, crop diversification, poverty alleviation, employment and income generation, in addition to emerging as one of the leading agri-enterprises.

Chairing the concluding session, Dr S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, PAU, urged the extension functionaries to keep passing on their need-based feedback for devising and strengthening the research programmes of the University.

The Co-Chairman of the concluding session, Dr Gurkanwal Singh, Joint Director (Horticulture), Punjab, emphasized that the farmers should diversify their farms and come out of traditional wheat-paddy cycle. Referring to agro-processing and value addition of fruits and vegetables, he observed that the processed food products hold great demand in the global market and are a good source of income for the farmers. Dr Singh disclosed that the three Centres of Excellence will be established in Punjab, out of which, two will focus on vegetables and citrus.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the session "Fruits," Dr L.S. Brar, Director of Horticulture, Punjab, said, "The area under horticulture crops is increasing in the state and we are trying to procure and process the farm produce with the help of PAU. We are also working together on the management techniques for the reduction of the post-harvest losses." Dr Brar inaugurated the Integrated Mushroom Unit at PAU, yesterday, which has been established under National Horticulture Mission (NHM).

Raising concerns over the use of agro-chemicals, the Chairperson of the session "Vegetables," Dr D.S. Cheema, Dean, College of Agriculture, impressed that the farmers should go in for safe vegetable production which ensures nutritional security. Besides, they should exploit the market for the export of vegetables, he remarked. Highlighting the significance of the protected cultivation of vegetables, Dr Cheema stressed on the evolvement of suitable and exclusive varieties for this purpose.

Dr H.S. Dhaliwal, Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU, proposing the vote of thanks, revealed that the in Punjab, the production of potato is nearly 20 lakh tonnes and that of peas is 2 lakh tonnes. The farmers can get good economic returns through the processing of horticultural crops, he added.

Dr T.S. Riar, Associate Professor of Extension Education, coordinated the concluding session, which witnessed the power point presentations on agro-forestry; mushroom cultivation; wine and vinegar; non-alcoholic beverages; post-harvest handling of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers; and post-harvest processing for value addition in fruits and vegetables crops. The farm experts also explained about the farm machinery like garlic planter, vegetable digger, precision planter and tractor mounted pick positioner.

Besides, the present status of vegetable production; mulching technology for net-house cultivation of capsicum, plant protection measures for vegetables; drip and micro irrigation for fruits and vegetables; and characteristics of new crop varieties, developed by PAU, including "Chini Sarson 2" of Chinese cabbage, and "SD 463" of chilli were the other thrust areas. Earlier, the participants visited the PAU mushroom and vegetable research farm, new orchard and floricultural experimental area.
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