PAU to showcase latest technologies at Kisan Mela

Ludhiana, March 18, 2015; The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is all set to hold two-day Kisan Mela on March 20 and 21. Dr R.S Sidhu, Director of Extension Education, said that the major attractions of mela will be agro-industrial exhibition, field demonstrations, soil and water testing, produce competitions, diagnosis of disorders in plant samples, sale of farm literature, farmers’ interaction with experts, technical session, and cultural programme. He said that mela will focus on promoting crop diversification in Punjab and on conserving natural resources.

Different departments of PAU will put up exhibitions to showcase new farm technologies and latest agricultural practices. The Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics will inform the farmers about newly released varieties such as PR 124 of rice, F 2383 and F 2228 of American cotton, Punjab Til No. 2 of sesame, Co 118 and Co 238 of sugarcane and PSC 4 of sorghum. Besides, experts will educate about crop production and protection technologies.

The Department of Agronomy will highlight resource conservation technologies in kharif crops and wheat, weed control and water management in kharif crops, organic farming and cultivation of medicinal, aromatic and spice crops.

The Department of Soil Science will dwell on recycle crop residues in the field; tensiometre based irrigation scheduling in paddy; and integrated use of chemical, organic and biofertilisers for better soil health and higher crop productivity.

The Department of Fruit Science will apprise the farmers of drip irrigation in orchards, and new techniques of propagation of fruit plants.

The Department of Vegetable Science will display the photographs/fresh samples of vegetable varieties/hybrids.

The Department of Microbiology will delve on the natural vinegar production from sugarcane and grapes, and mushroom cultivation technology.

The Departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology will shed light on integrated pest management on different field and vegetable crops, safe use of pesticides, beekeeping as subsidiary venture, and management of insect-pests and diseases in wheat and rice.

The Departments of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Soil and Water Engineering, and Processing and Food Engineering will provide information about mechanical paddy transplanter, maize planter, straw management machinery, use of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, protected cultivation, turmeric and honey processing, and agro-processing complex.

The College of Home Science will educate farm women about dietary management of hypertension, food hygiene and sanitation, balanced diet for healthy living, and drudgery reducing tools.

The School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology will create climate change awareness among the farmers while School of Energy Studies for Agriculture will familiarize the farmers with biogas generation from paddy straw and preparation process of bio-diesel.

The School of Agricultural Biotechnology will inform the farmers about commercial micropropagation of important horticultural and field crops, and developing maize germplasm tolerant to water logging.