September 24, 2024 … In its ongoing series of Kisan Melas, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) held a Kisan Mela for rabi crops at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Rauni, Patiala, here today. The Mela floated the theme “Kudarati somey bachao, sab laiye khushali liyao,” underlining the imperative need to conserve natural non-renewable resources, chiefly water, soil and air; and ensure a prosperous future for Punjab state. Over 150 inviting stalls displaying varied items including improved seeds, fertilizers, vegetable kits, farm implements, farm literature and other PAU recommended varieties related to agriculture and farming, drew a massive crowd of farmers from several districts of Punjab.
The Chief Guest, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, inaugurated the Kisan Mela, terming such agricultural fairs as an apt platform for farmer-scientist interactions. In his presidential remarks, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, underpinned agricultural sustainability through natural resource conservation, and stated that holistic agriculture development calls for meeting the needs of today without compromising tomorrow. He urged the farmers to adopt environmentally focused technology, consider economically viable farming practices and shun conventional agricultural practices that lead to biodiversity loss and disrupted ecosystems. Further, Dr Gosal called upon the farmers to diversify their cropping pattern by cultivating PBW 826 of wheat which has made its mark far and wide from Jammu to Kolkata; PBG 10 of chickpea for export purpose; GSC 7 of gobhi sarson to compete with Canada-based canola oil; TL 17 of toria; BL 42 of berseem; and other alternate crops. Dr Gosal also shared that demand for PAU developed vegetable kit (seed of 10 vegetables @ Rs. 100/-), pulses-oilseeds kit (Rs. 200/-), and fodder kit (four crops) has seen an enormous surge recently, thereby, proving that farmers were keenly following the expert advice of the scientists and were tending to ghar bagichi to become self-sufficient. He further called upon them to keep themselves abreast of the latest farming techniques, keeping in mind the futuristic trends. Citing examples of successful NRI farmers, Dr Gosal rooted for a multi-pronged strategy, advising farmers to engage in production, processing and marketing of their produce that would eventually ensure enhanced farm income. Dr Gosal expressed his gratitude to the farmers for instilling faith in the university and staying connected through several decades now.
The Guest of Honour, Dr Preeti Yadav, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, shared her vision for the development of Patiala district and sought cooperation from farmers in vowing that they would shun stubble burning that excessively damages the ozone layer, kills beneficial microflora and fauna in soil, and also fuels health disorders. She exhorted the farmers to implement straw management technologies developed by the university, stressing on straw mulching and deep tillage; besides asking them to stay tuned to the informative farm literature published by PAU.
Dr Devinder Singh Cheema, Member, Board of Management, PAU, and also, the Guest of Honour, hailed the farming community as agents of change and fervently appealed them to embrace sustainable agri-food systems and particularly, adopt in-situ paddy straw management technologies as advised by PAU scientists through their intensive research. Dr Cheema also alerted the farmers to beware of private players whose tall claims were not supported by authentic research.
Dr Jaswinder Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Patiala, reiterated the blueprint for developmental schemes of the Department of Agriculture, and shared initiatives undertaken to aid farmers. He advised the farmers to implement university recommendations in all aspects of farming, including seed selection, pesticide application, soil preparation, and harvesting, to maximize the value of the expert advice. He stressed the implementation of PAU developed machinery such as Super Seeder, Smart Seeder, Happy Seeder, Surface Seeder, Chopper-cum-Shredder etc. for paddy straw management. Additionally, he urged farmers to establish communication with agriculture personnel at the block level to stay updated about government initiatives.
The Director of Research, PAU, Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, referred to the Kisan Melas as ‘Gyan de Mele’ that disseminated latest agricultural knowledge to its stakeholders. He informed that the university has developed and recommended more than 950 crop varieties till date. Dr Dhatt also shared the significant characteristics of the newly developed crop varieties comprising PBW Biscuit 1 of wheat, PHR 127 of raya-sarson, PGSH 2155 of gobhi sarson and OL 17 of javi. He advocated the adoption of less-water guzzling paddy varieties like PR 126; besides, proposing the latest production and protection technologies in wheat, cotton, oilseeds and pulses. Dr Dhatt also laid emphasis on organic farming, natural resource management techniques, green manuring, tar-wattar DSR, biogas generation from paddy straw, nursery raising techniques, nutrition and kitchen garden models, vegetable hybrids etc.
Earlier, Director of Extension Education, PAU, Dr Makhan Singh Bhullar, accorded a welcome to the guests and dignitaries. He urged the farmers to heed to the recommendations made by the university, optimize on-farm integration of farm enterprises and employ subsidiary occupations to supplement farm incomes. He appealed them to visit the stalls, field demonstrations and agro-industrial exhibitions on display; and seek solutions for agri-issues from the university scientists and subject experts from various departments who had converged here today to share insightful information pertaining to effective and precision farming, new crop production, protection technologies, farm mechanization for crops, etc. He also shared that technical sessions, training, workshops conducted at PAU and its KVKs are planned keeping in mind the needs of the farming community, urging farmers to avail these opportunities.
Dr Tejinder Singh Riar, Additional Director Communication, while conducting the programme, asked the farmers to visit Skill Development Centre at PAU and seek financial assistance under Punjab Agri-Business Incubator (PABI) project for agri-business start-ups. He also appealed to the farmers to follow PAU WhatsApp newspaper ‘Kheti Sandesh,’ weekly Facebook live programme on Thursday; YouTube channel, University website, Instagram and other ICT tools to stay updated about the recent know-how related to agriculture. He also advised them to get a copy of PAU’s ‘Package of Practices for Rabi Crops’, loaded with informative content.
The event also honoured eleven progressive farmers and farm women for their notable excellence in agriculture and allied occupations: Smt. Shero Rani (Phulkari), Smt. Jasvir Kaur (Organic Cleaning Agents), S. Gurmukh Singh (Gur, Shakkar, Oil, Turmeric), S. Bhupinder Singh (Honey), S. Kulwinder Singh (Mushroom cultivation), S. Gurwinder Singh (Floriculture), S. Gurpreet Singh (Vermicompost), S. Kuklwinder Singh (Seed production), S. Rashpal Singh (Horticulture- onion), Dr Rashpal Singh (Tree Plantation), and S. Jaspreet Singh (Dragon Fruit).
