Kisan Mela at Regional Station Faridkot by PAU

Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 3:35 PM

Sow PAU seeds, adopt subsidiary occupations

Ludhiana: 10 March 2017: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

To showcase the latest farm technologies for Kharif crops, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) held a Kisan Mela at its Regional Station, Faridkot today. Mr Jang Bahadur Singh Sangha, Former Member, Board of Management, PAU as well as a progressive farmer, inaugurated the Kisan Mela which focused on the theme “Sow PAU seeds, adopt subsidiary occupations, do efficient marketing and maintain farm records.”  In addition to interaction with the experts, the farmers obtained solutions to farm queries, viewed live demonstrations, and purchased seeds, planting material and PAU farm publications. Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Research presided over the function and Dr Gurmeet Singh Butter, Additional Director of Extension Education, also graced the occasion.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Sangha greeted the gathering and said that the prime objective of such pastoral fairs is two-way interaction between the agricultural scientists and the farmers. Equating the kisan melas to knowledge-encapsulated events, he advocated a two-pronged strategy for ensuring a lucrative agricultural enterprise, viz., judicious expenditure and adoption of subsidiary ventures. Opining that PAU Kisan Divas is unique, he said that it is a divas of knowledge where farmers interact with university scientists to gain new knowledge on farming.Mr. Sangha, who himself is an ace potato grower, said that PAU has contributed immensely towards national food security. The farmers should keep constant liaison with the university scientists to learn the latest techniques of farming, he explained. He further pointed out that in the post green revolution era, Punjab is facing new challenges. Urging the farming community to opt for hybrid seed production, he emphasized judicious use of inputs, timely testing of soil andadoption of auxiliary occupations for supplementing income. He exhorted the farmers to purchase quality seeds from the University and seek its guidance regarding good varieties.

Dilating upon the research achievements of PAU, Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Research, said, “Crop varieties that need less water and fertilizer, are tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and give better yield, are being developed by the university.” In order to counter the emerging challenges in the arena of agriculture, the PAU has focused its attention on yield-centric, lucrative as well as environment-friendly endeavors, he added. PAU has developed/released new varieties namely Punjab Basmati 4 and Punjab Basmati 5 of basmati; and CoPb 92, CoPb 93 and CoPb 94 of sugarcane, he briefed. Dr Kumar also cited the newly recommended production-protection technologies for various crops.

While welcoming the dignitaries and the farmers, Dr G.S. Butter, Additional Director Extension Education, PAU, appealed to the farmers to follow PAU recommendations. He encouraged them to attend trainings imparted at the different KVKs of the university. Such trainings would arm them with the latest knowledge to tackle the challenges which came in the form of weather, weeds, pests, etc., he averred.  Dr Pankaj Rathore, Director, Regional Research Station, Faridkot, while proposing the vote of thanks, shed light on the activities of RRS, Faridkot and new crop varieties, released by PAU.

Several stalls with exhibits as diverse as implements, improved seeds, solar energy, farm literature, etc., were displayed during the Kisan Divas. The scientists of PAU answered a volley of questions from the farmers during an interactive session. Subject matter specialists of PAU gave useful tips to farmers about the new crop production and protection technologies, farm mechanization for Kharif crops, etc.

Kisan Mela at Faridkot attracted more younger generation

Wed, Sep 14, 2016 at 3:43 PM

Scientists and Doctors Committed to Improve Health:Dr Raj

Ludhiana-14 Septmeber 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

The Kisan Mela at Regional Research Station, Faridkot, witnessed a humongous crowd of farmers, reasserting the validity of such melas, which are an ideal platform to reach out to the farming community at large. A colourful mêlée of more than a hundred inviting stalls, decorated with buntings, beckoned the teeming visitors. 

This Kisan mela at Faridkot attracted more younger generation. young boys and girls were watching each and every stall to gain more education of agriculture and horticulture. They said Agriculture is still super job for us. We will improve the weak economic situation of our farmers and country. These boys and girls have accepted the challenge arise after suicides by farmers. leaving behind the all differences these children explained that land is our mother and agriculture is our religion. They said,'we will not allow anyone to pollute our soil, water, air and harmony".

The theme of the Kisan Mela was “PAU kheti sifarshan, faslan layi vardaan; vigyani kheti naal hi safal hon kirsan.” The theme conveys a strong message that the ‘PAU Package of Practices’ is a boon for healthy crop production. The incorporation of scientific and technological innovations is vital to achieve success in agriculture.

The Kisan Mela was inaugurated by Punjab State Awardee, Dr Raj Bahadur, a renowned orthopedician and the Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. Dr B. S. Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, PAU, presided over the function. Dignitaries from PAU- Dr R. K. Ghumber, Director of Research; Dr R. S. Sidhu, Director of Extension Education; Dr Jagdish Kaur, Additional Director of Communication; as well as Dr H. S. Kalsi, Chief Agricultural Officer and the first Director of Regional Research Station, Faridkot; and Dr Pankaj Rathore, Director, Regional Research Station, Faridkot lent their presence to the occasion. 

In his welcome address, Dr R. S. Sidhu expressed his gratitude towards the farmer visitors who had turned up in huge numbers, which in itself symbolized the huge success of the pastoral fair. He exhorted them to attend trainings imparted at the seventeen KVKs of the university. Such trainings would arm them with the latest knowledge to tackle the challenges which came in the form of weather, weeds, pests etc.

The Chief Guest, Dr Raj Bahadur, in his inaugural address congratulated the PAU scientists who identified crop maladies and worked relentlessly to eradicate them as well as to bring such information to the doorstep of the farmer; thus establishing a likability between scientists and doctors who are committed to improved health, albeit in their respective fields. He also raised his concerns about the rising cases of farmers’ suicides, the depletion of the water table; thereby stressing the need to go in for crop diversification and mechanized community farming. He lauded the efforts of the university for conducting such educative fairs which aided the transfer of knowledge to the farmers who are the true beneficiaries. "We accept the challenge"

In his warm and sagacious address, Dr B. S. Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, PAU, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the farmers for adopting the recommendations of the PAU experts from time to time. He encouraged them to keep up with this practice and as a word of caution, also suggested that experimenting new varieties must be limited initially; and that the results and their experiences be shared with scientists which would positively impact future research tremendously. He congratulated his farming brethren who had cooperated immensely in checking the depleting water table; leading to a positive increase of 45% in the state. He expressed his joy in sharing that an overall decrease of Rs 600 crores was witnessed in the consumption of urea, but at the same time he suggested the controlled use of phosphorous rich urea to sustain the biological health of the soil. He also advised the farming community not to resort blindly to the use of pesticides; rather use them sparingly, with discretion. Here he suggested them to resort to manual weeding in case the problem wasn’t severe. Dr Dhillon expressed satisfaction that the white fly menace had been curbed to a large extent by the collective efforts of the state government, the university and the farmers. Further, he also suggested that stubble burning be avoided and to use the same as compost. He stressed the benefits of collective mechanized farming and marketing, which have already yielded a 35% national gain as per the recent data available.

Dr Gumber, who has rendered 15 years of service at KVK, Faridkot, before joining as Director of Research, PAU, announced several new varieties of seeds released by the university. He recommended Wheat 677 and 725, which were immune to yellow and brown rust; African Sarson, which could be threshed and harvested by combines and also yielded more oil; Tomato varieties- Punjab Gaurav, Punjab Sartaj and Punjab Red Cherry; Brinjal- PB HR 42 & 43; Pea- Punjab 89, 83 & 87; Pumpkin- PBH 1 & 2, to name a few. He also recommended varieties of flowering crops such as the Gladiolas- PB 25 and Sweet Peas- PSP 43, 31, 57, 62 & 82. He further informed the audience about the improved packing technology which included the cling film/sheet for increasing the shelf life of vegetables. Dr Gumber suggested the use of the improvised Lucky Seed Drill instead of the traditional suhaga. Further, he insisted on reduced stubble burning of rice straw, which could be achieved by using PAU Happy Seeder which helps to reduce rice straw into mulch as well as helps in retaining moisture. He recommended the use of Canola oil extracted from gobhi sarson and rye. Encouraging the farmers to adopt more scientific manners in farming, he also suggested the use of Biofertilizer Consortium to improve the seed variety and also the adoption of Leaf Colour Chart which would indicate the exact amount of urea to be used. His educative remarks were much appreciated by the farmers present in the audience.

The interactive session among the PAU scientists and the farmers was quite eventful. The experts eagerly answered their queries. Their opinions on various issues were well sought after.

A cultural bonanza was offered to regale the audience. Traditional folk singers and the engaging witty repertoire of Dr. Jaswinder Bhalla, Head, Extension Education, PAU added colour to the atmosphere.