PAU HOLDS KISAN MELA AT BATHINDA, S BHUNDER TELLS FARMERS TO ADOPT SCIENTIFIC FARMING

LUDHIANA, MARCH 21:---



Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organized Kisan Mela of the forthcoming Kharif season, at its Regional Station, Bathinda today. S. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Member Parliament, inaugurated the mela, while PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Baldev Singh Dhillon presided over. Dr. Jairup Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, was the Guest of Honour. S. Dilraj Singh Bhunder,Chairman, Zila Parishad , Mansa was also present on this occasion. The Kisan Mela witnessed immense participation of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.



Addressing the farmers S. Bhunder stated that Punjab farmers are the best in the world. They have made great strides to boost the agricultural production in Punjab and contributed a lot in making India, a food sufficient nation. Praising the farmers for their hard work, S. Bhunder said, Punjabi farmers have no parallel in the world, but in spite of their hard work they are not getting good returns from farming. In recent years, the prices of agricultural inputs have increased many folds, but there is no corresponding increase in the minimum support prices, he said, adding that the profits from farming have greatly declined . Scientific farming should be adopted that promotes judicious use of inputs and resources to increase farmers\' income, he advised. S. Bhunder observed that water was the most precious input for agriculture and should be used very wisely. \"We all waste lot of water which should be avoided at every cost\", he remarked. Referring to the long ques of farmers for the purchase of seed of new varieties of paddy, S Bhunder said that it was the testimony of farmers\' faith in PAU.S. Bhunder further said that there is lack of infrastructure and processing of farm produce . He suggested that farmers should be given subsidy to develop storage facilities at their own farms. This will greatly check the food grain wastage, he said. In his address Dr Jairup Singh said that prosperity in Punjab has been possible because of PAU which introduced high yielding varieties of wheat, paddy and other crops. However, he expressed great concern over the deteriorating soils specially in malwa belt which is affecting the human health also. He called upon the farmers to adopt university recommendations and minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers.In his presidential address, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon said that Kisan Melas provide opportunities to farmers to know the latest developments in farming through their face-to-face interaction with university scientists, adding that such interactions are helpful for the scientists also in reorienting their research. Hence, Kisan Melas provide two-way communication channel.



Dr Dhillon impressed upon the farmers to diversify their farming, and make judicious use of water, and other natural resources for higher profits in environment friendly manner. He said that cultivation of vegetables and pulses in Punjab should be promoted in a big way for which kisan mela theme this year has been aptly chosen as \'Ghar di sabzi daal ugao, sehat banao paise bachao\' (grow vegetables and pulses in your household kitchen garden, save money and stay healthy. "If each of the 12 lakh farming families of the state grows vegetables and pulses in at least one kanal, 1.5 lakh acres can be brought under diversification. This will be a big step forward towards agricultural diversification," he stated. Emphasizing on conservation of natural resources, Dr. Dhillon said intensive cultivation in Punjab yielding 110 quintal of wheat is highest than in many countries of the world. Further increasable is an uphill task but profit margins can be enhanced by reducing input costs. He urged the farmers to use resource conservation technologies, such as laser land leveller, leaf colour chart, tensiometer etc.Dr Dhillon expressed his gratitude for Punjab Govt. and the Chief Minister Punjab S. Parkash Singh Badal and Finance Minister, S Parminder Singh Dhindsa for increasing the financial grant to PAU from Rs 270 crores to 300 crores in the current financial year.He also expressed his thankfulness for the announcement to pay the arrears of the revised pay scales of the employees of the university which amount to another 65 crores.Hence the budget for this financial year is Rs. 365 crores.

Dr. P.S.Chahal, Associate Director of Research, while highlighting the research achievements said that PAU reorients its research programme as per needs of farmers keeping in view their feedback. He informed that research was focused on developing technologies that are cost-effective, environment friendly and are suitable for small farmers. He elaborated upon the on-going researches and informed that special emphasis is on plant and soil health management, green chemicals, climate resilient crop varieties, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, post-harvest management, value addition, and energy production from bio-mass. He told that the PAU has released several new varieties such as "PR 121, and PR 122" of paddy, "Punjab Basmati 3 and Pusa Punjab Basmati 1509" of basmati rice, "LH 2108 and NCS 855 BG II" of American cotton, and "HG 365" of guar. Besides, nine varieties of horticultural crops including "Punjab Tej" and Punjab Sindhuri" of chilli; "PBH 3" of brinjal; "Shweta" of guava; "Punjab Glad I" of gladiolus; and "Punjab Purple Wave" and "Punjab Choco Gold" of pansy have been released for general cultivation in the state. He elaborated the characteristics of the new varieties and various production and plant protection technologies evolved.



Earlier, Dr M.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education, while welcoming the dignitaries and the farmers, said that Kisan melas are great occasions to gain information and knowledge regarding new farm innovations and technologies. Advising the farmers to must see the live field demonstrations, he emphasized them to follow the recommendations and advice of PAU experts for day-to-day farm operations. He urged the farmers to keep a close liaison with farm experts of KVKs and FASS. He highlighted the significance of the protected cultivation of vegetables. Dr Gill called upon the farmers to read PAU farm literature regularly and get new guidelines from the same.In the agro-industrial exhibition ,farm related product, including pumps, spray machinery, tractors, etc. were displayed. The mela presented a variety of new technologies and practices to farmers. PAU scientists from various departments displayed their resources and gave useful tips to farmers on various aspects of scientific farming.There was huge rush of farmers for purchase of seeds of new verities of paddy and fruit plants. Farmers also purchased farm literature and vegetable mini kits for kitchen garden.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com