Scores of farmers flock to PAU Kisan Mela at Faridkot

Ludhiana, March 18, 2024: With a resounding message of bolstering family ties and economic empowerment, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organized a one-day Kisan Mela at the Regional Research Station, Faridkot today. 

The mela promoted the amalgamation of agriculture and agri-business through its theme "Kheti Naal Saahaaik Dhanda, Parivaar Sukhi Munafa Changa." Scores of farmers, who flocked to the mela alongwith their families, were drawn away by the agro-industrial exhibition, field demonstrations, technical question-answer session, availability of quality and improved seed, sale of planting material and biofertilizers, accessibility to farm literature, lined-up homemade processed products and handwoven clothings.

A pillaring figure and World Food Prize Laureate Dr Gurdev Singh Khush, knowable for making a massive contribution to the agriculture via the development of 300 rice varieties, was the chief guest on the occasion. Presently Adjunct Professor Emeritus, University of California, USA, Dr Khush expressed concern over the daunting challenge of water crisis and advocated crop diversification through the cultivation of alternative crops such as sugarcane, pulses, sarson, etc. and adoption of kitchen garden for nutritional security. He also urged the farmers to reduce pesticide use, and connect with PAU via social media and farm literature.

The guest of honour Sardar Amanpreet Singh Brar, member of Board of Management, PAU, stressed upon navigating the intricacies and complexities of the present-day agriculture, nurturing the agricultural education and creating employment opportunities for the rural population. He also called upon the Central government to open the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan for the marketing of fruits and vegetables. “The onus lies on the Punjab’s youth, who must carry forward this ancestral agricultural legacy,” he emphasized, while expressing his profound gratitude to the PAU for reopening the gates of Raja Harinder Singh Seed Farm, Faridkot spread across 1,200 acres for enhanced seed production; and bringing back Sugarcane Research Farm from Gurdaspur to Faridkot.

In his presidential remarks, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, informed that the University was working round the clock and investing immense efforts on the amplification of agricultural occupation as well as production and self-reliance of the farming community, exemplifying the impact across the state through positive outcome. Since traditional wheat-paddy cropping pattern has exacerbated the water-soil-air crises and led to drop in farm income, it was important for the farmers to diversify their fields by cultivating alternative crops and adopt subsidiary occupations for agricultural and financial sustainability. Farmers, women and youth can get skill handholding at Skill Development Centre, and bring their produce for processing at Food Industry Business Incubation Centre, PAU, Ludhiana, he advised. Fostering steadfast commitment to farmers’ prosperity, Dr Gosal stated that PAU aimed at forging future agriculturists through agricultural regeneration and entrepreneurship. Dr Gosal also promoted vacuum packing and nitrogen packing for storage of insect-pest free pulses, purchase of biofertilizers for 17 crops and vegetable seed kits, and shifting from agriculture to agro-processing.

Dr GS Mangat, Additional Director of Research, while underlining the research achievements, presented the significant developments including the evolvement of new crop varieties, namely Pusa Basmati 1847 of basmati, J 1008 of fodder maize, PCB 167 of bajra; Punjab China 1 of proso millet, Punjab Mithaas of brinjal and Punjab Amrit of muskmelon; millet-based value added products; and farm machinery such as remote-based Paddy Transplanter and UAV-based drone for spraying. He also divulged that this RRS, Faridkot has completed 54 years of establishment.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, said that PAU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras were taking strategic initiatives to double the income and remould the lives of the farming community. Skill expansion in auxiliary occupations such as beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, nutritional kitchen garden, agro-processing and value addition, animal husbandry (dairy, poultry, piggery, fishery and goatry), and women-centric enterprises (garment enrichment, bakery and confectionery, etc.), could uplift the rural livelihoods, he added.

Dr Kuldeep Singh, Director, RRS, Faridkot, proposed a vote of thanks.

Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, while conducting the programme, called upon the farmers to associate themselves with PAU via PAU Kisan App and other WhatsApp groups, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and University website.

On the occasion, two books on “Cotton Cultivation” were released by Dr Khush. Present on the occasion was Dr Amrik Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Faridkot.