Farmers participate in Faridkot Kisan Mela with zeal and zest

Ludhiana, September 10, 2024: Encouraging the conservation of natural resources through its theme, “Kudarati somey bachao, sab laiye khushali liyao,” the Punjab Agricultural University’s Kisan Mela at the Regional Research Station, Faridkot, came alive with the zeal and zest of the participating farmers. Accompanied by their families, farmers in large number thronged the seed store; stalls of live field demonstrations, technical question-answer session, farm publications as well as those put up by Self-Help Groups to buy improved seed of rabi crops, discuss and seek solutions to their queries, learn about the newly developed crop varieties and agri-technologies, purchase farm literature and homemade food products as well as clothing.

Inaugurating the mela, the chief guest Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, reiterated the State government’s commitment to the social-economic stability of the farmers. He lamented the lack of agricultural policy for the Punjab state during the last 70 years and farmers selling basmati at throwaway prices to benefit the business tycoons. He also lauded PAU for the development of sugarcane varieties and called for apprising the farmers of the effectiveness of nano-urea. In addition, he made a call for addressing marketing issues to make the small agrarian state as Rangla Punjab once again.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said that bailing out the farmers from the current crises of water depletion, climate change and diminishing farm income was need of the hour. He cited the example of paddy seed sold by the private sector @ Rs 4,000 per kg in comparison to PR 126, sold by the PAU @ 56 per kg. With the reopening of the gates of Raja Harinder Singh Seed Farm, Faridkot spread across 1,200 acres, PAU’s seed production has doubled, he added. Stressing on making Punjab self-reliant through entrepreneurship development, he urged the farmers to enhance income through the adoption of subsidiary occupations like value addition and agro-processing, mushroom growing, beekeeping, animal husbandry, etc. Paddy straw burning was posing a persistent challenge and needed to addressed as a top priority, he emphasized, while appealing to the farmers to shun stubble burning and manage paddy straw with PAU developed technologies. Besides, Dr Gosal asked the farmers to grow wheat variety PBW 826, javi variety OL 14 and gobhi sarson varsity GSC 7 for diversification.

Highlighting the new recommendations, Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, shed light on the salient features of the nouveau 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 also dwelt upon the latest production technologies in cotton, gobhi sarson and masar dal; and production techniques in organic wheat, oilseeds and summer moong. These melas are gyan de mele (knowledge-exchange melas), he stated, while asking the farmers to share their experiences with the agri-experts.

Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, while welcoming the dignitaries and the farmers, lauded the enthusiasm of the agricultural community, calling it a testament to their faith in PAU developed crop varieties and agricultural technologies. Skill honing was an answer to unemployment, he said, while urging the farmers, women, educated and uneducated youths to obtain trainings in agriculture related enterprises from PAU, Ludhiana, and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras in different districts of Punjab.

Amanpreet Singh Brar, Member, Board of Management, PAU, made a call for saving water for coming generations and reviving the interest of youths in agriculture. He bemoaned the organization of the Kisan Melas by the private companies and advised the farmers to ignore those melas, rather participate with full vigour in PAU Ksian Melas.

Gurdit Singh Sekhon, MLA, Faridkot, hailed for PAU for 22 years of intensive research on cotton’s insect-pest management and holding trials on new crops like strawberry, avocado and blackberry. He assured the farmers of State government’s commitment towards the opening of sugar mills to boost sugarcane production in Punjab.

Dr Kuldeep Singh, Director, RRS, Faridkot, proposed a vote of thanks. Mr Vineet Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot, also graced the occasion.

Conducting the programme, Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, appealed to the farmers to connect with PAU through electronic and social media -

PAU Kisan App and other WhatsApp groups, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and University website. He strictly warned the farmers against the use of unrecommended varieties.

On the occasion, Dr Pankaj Rathore, Principal Cotton Breeder and former Director of RRS, Faridkot, was felicitated for ground-breaking achievement in cotton, enabling PAU to emerge as the first research institute globally to utilize the wild cotton species Gossypium armourianum to incorporate resistance against Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD) in American cotton. Besides, Sukhmainder Singh, a field helper, was also rewarded for making sincere efforts for the success of the cotton breeding programme.