Kisan Mela 2015 kicks off at PAU; agricultural marketing system needs to be strengthened: Tota Singh

Ludhiana, March 20, 2015: A two-day Kisan Mela kicked off at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today amidst massive gathering of the farmers and the farm women from across the Punjab and adjoining states. The mela is dedicated to the theme “Adopt Crop Diversification and Save Natural Resources.”

Inaugurating the mela, the Chief Guest Jathedar Tota Singh, Minister of Agriculture and NRI Affairs, Punjab congratulated the state farmers and PAU for enabling the Punjab to emerge as a numero uno state in agriculture in India. While referring to current farm scenario of various states, Singh said, “With surplus food grain production, marketing system needs to be strengthened.” He appealed to the Central Government to find out ways and means for procurement of paddy and wheat from Punjab. “In USA, there are about 7 lakh farmers,” he disclosed, while voicing concern over the declining interest of the youth of Punjab and Canada in farming. S. Singh highlighted that the state government is making intensive efforts to promote cultivation of maize, potato and moong in the state. Expressing concern over rising drug menace in Punjab, he suggested constituting 11-member committee at village level to check the supply of drugs and to save the youth of the state. S. Singh also urged the farmers to have a round of their fields in the early morning and to continue with the habit of working manually. “The state government is providing subsidy on tractors. There are already 4,80,000 tractors in Punjab and that farmers should not purchase tractors any more,” he advised. S. Singh highlighted the budget allotment to agriculture, power, and PAU; and ensured the farmers that the Punjab government is committed to serve them in future as well.

The Guest of Honour, Dr G.S. Kalkat, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ Commission and former Vice-Chancellor, PAU observed that farmers have always been serving the country and the state. But now, they should serve themselves and the future generations by saving water, he said. “Without water, it will be difficult to grow crops in future,” he cautioned the farmers. Dr Kalkat suggested growing alternative crops like maize, basmati, soybean, vegetables, etc. “If 8-9 lakh farming families adopt vegetable cultivation, beekeeping and dairy farming, they can enhance their income,” he added. Dr Kalkat also called upon the farmers to reduce their superfluous expenses and go for social reform movement in villages. He stressed on providing good education facilities to the rural children.

Suresh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Development), Punjab who was also the guest of honour said, “Farmers should take benefit of the technologies being disseminated at the PAU Kisan Mela.” In view of depleting water resources and deteriorating soil health, the government has changed the notification regarding the paddy transplanting from June 10 to June 15. About basmati cultivation, he revealed, “There has been increase in the area under basmati from 5 lakh hectare (ha) to 8 lakh ha last year.” This year, the area is expected to touch 12 lakh ha, he said, while calling upon the farmers to sow basmati variety having international market value. Highlighting that state government seeks to promote kharif maize cultivation, Mr Kumar advised the farmers to sow maize variety having good demand. The Punjab government has already sent a project to the Central government for setting-up of “Maize Mega Food Park” in Hoshiarpur and Phagwara districts, he told. Besides, maize dryers have been set-up in the state at seven places. In addition, a 100 crore plant is coming up in Bathinda which will prepare cattle feed on the basis of maize, he divulged. Mr Kumar also advised the farmers to check soil and water quality of the area before cultivating Kinnow. “Since climate of Punjab is suitable for potato cultivation, potato seeds will soon be made available to the farmers,” he said. The government is also taking full stock of the crop loss due to untimely rain, he added.

In his presidential remarks, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU impressed on the farmers to adopt crop diversification, and use water and fertilizers judiciously. Since the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have seen jump in paddy production, farmers should diversify their fields in order to avoid problems in marketing of their produce,” he advised. Dr Dhillon advocated canola cultivation at household level and adoption of resource conservation technologies like leaf colour chart and tensiometer. He called upon the farmers to make vigorous efforts to save precious natural resources.

Earlier, Dr R.S. Sidhu, Director of Extension Education welcomed the dignitaries and the visiting farmers and the farm women. He stated, “Huge rush of farmers in this mela speaks of the success of this fair.” He urged the farmers to remain in contact with experts of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Scheme across Punjab for gaining technical know-how of latest farm practices.

Highlighting the research programmes of PAU, Dr Balwinder Singh, Director of Research said, “The University has recommended/developed 750 crop varieties since inception. At present, research on nearly 100 crops is being carried out at PAU.” Dr Singh also informed about the salient features of the newly released crop varieties, and their production and protection technologies.

On the occasion, the Chief Guest honoured five progressive farmers from various parts of Punjab. S. Harvinder Singh of village Padlawad, district Sangrur; and S. Ravinder Singh Brar of village Kauni, district Muktsar; were conferred with the “Chief Minister Award” for excellence in agriculture. Besides, S. Gurjit Singh Mahal of village Burj, district Bathinda was awarded “Chief Minister Award” for excellence in horticulture. S. Ramandeep Singh of village Rauri Kapura, district Faridkot; and S. Rajinder Pal Singh of village Kalal Wala, district Bathinda were awarded “CRI Pumps Award” for adopting farm mechanization and for excellence in organic farming, respectively.

In addition, several PAU scientists and journalists of prominent dailies received Appreciation Certificates. Present on the occasion were Dr A.S. Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU; and Karamjit Kaur Dhanewalia, Member, PAU Board of Management. During mela, Punjabi singers enthralled the gathering with their foot tapping numbers.