Research and extension specialists workshop begin at PAU

Ludhiana, January 22, 2015: Two day 'Research and Extension Specialist's Workshop for Fruits, Mushroom, Agro-Forestry alongwith Post Harvest Management, Farm Power & Machinery, Food Technology & Agricultural Economics' began at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. PAU, Vice Chancellor Dr.B.S.Dhillon was the chief guest while Dr.Gurkanwal Singh, Director Horticulture, Punjab was the Guest of honour at the inaugural session . A large number of scientists from PAU and extension experts of the Department of Horticulture, Punjab are participating in the workshop.

In his inaugural address Dr.B.S.Dhillon said that paddy cultivation has posed many problems in Punjab and to shift form paddy cultivation, fruit crops offer the best diversification option. He informed that in order to promote fruit cultivation in the state, PAU is giving more stress to research on fruit crops. He disclosed that a new 'center for excellence in citrus' is being set up at Abohar to boost research on citrus fruits. He further disclosed that PAU scientists have been successful in developing less seeded kinnow and progress has been made for debittering kinnow juice. Efforts are also underway to produce red wine from grapes having good quality and taste. He pointed out insufficient human resource in horticulture is the limiting factor for popularisation of fruit crops in the state.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gurkanwal Singh said Horticulture is a priority at national level as fruits and vegetables are necessary for nutritional security to the people. He pointed out that Punjab has been a leading food producing state but has not done well as far as cultivation of horticultural crops is concerned. ''A new vision and plan is the need of the hour to make Punjab a leading state in fruit and vegetable cultivation'' he said. Pointing out the difficulties in the horticulture sector, he said that lack of efficient marketing system was the major bottleneck in the popularization of fruit crops. He said that there is a big difference between the price at which a farmer sells the fruits and the price at which consumer buys in the market. Major profit is taken away by the middle men. There is a need to evolve a system where a farmer can directly sells to the consumer eliminating the middleman there by benefiting both producers and consumers, he said. Adding that by increasing the profitability in fruits and vegetable cultivation farmers can be motivated away from paddy cultivation.

In his address Dr. Balwinder Singh, Director of Research, PAU highlighted new varieties and production technologies evolved. He informed that the University has developed three new clones of Eucalyptus (Safeda) C-413, C-72 and C-2045. He informed that shrink/cling film packaging in peach fruits is helpful in increasing the shelf life of fruit for 9 days in super markets and up to 4 days in open market. He also highlighted the technology for rejuvenation/revival of guava and mango trees.

Earlier Dr. H.S. Dhaliwal, Dean, College of Agriculture welcomed the chief guest and delegates. He informed that Punjab has about 77000 hectare area under fruit and produces about 1.54 lac tonnes of fruits annually.

Dr. R.S.Sidhu, Director of Extension Education while proposing vote of thanks said that researchers and extension personnel should join hands to promote cultivation of horticultural crops in the state.