1st Technical Session of Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit-2014: Deliberations were held on soil and water conservation

Chapparchiri/ Mohali/ Chandigarh February 17: Deliberations were held on soil and water conservation along with reduction in input costs of farmers during the brain storming first technical session of Progressive Punjab Agriculture summit. The session on ‘Challenges And The Way Forward for Punjab Agriculture’ commenced under the Chairmanship of Dr S Ayyappan, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
In his keynote address Dr. Ayyappan supported the Progressive Punjab theme with his expression that ‘Punjab is leading the nation in Agricultural sector’. He stressed on the need to improve the coordination between the farmers and the agro scientists. He said that after implementation of Food Security Act in the Nation, the country is once again looking towards Punjab but Punjab needs to conserve its soil and water along with adopting diversification in agriculture. He suggested integrated farming techniques to make farming a profitable venture. He suggested the farmers to resort to ‘Agro Business Principle’ in place of considering farming just a mere occupation. Giving tips on reduction in input costs and subsequent increase in profit, he suggested the farmers to prepare a water budget for optimal use of water resources. He said that to counter the challenges faced by agriculture sector in Punjab, the farmers should adopt diversification and venture into agro processing thereby setting up for themselves a self sustaining profitable agro model.
Speaking on the occasion the Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) Dr. B.S. Dhillon expressed concern over Punjab Agriculture being at cross roads. He said that on road to Green Revolution Punjab virtually exported its water and nutrients to other states. He said that the State discharged its ‘national duty’ at a very high cost. He added that other states are following the same route and are bound to encounter similar consequences; added that the nation should use Punjab as a ‘National Laboratory’ to develop strategies and technologies for sustainable agriculture so that Punjab should be instrumental in leading the nation towards Second Green Revolution. He sought higher financial support from the centre for agriculture, stressed on need for expansion and strengthening of R&D, enhanced subsidies to promote natural resource management for secured future and the need to create awareness amongst citizens about their responsibility in conservation of natural resources.
J.C. Katyal, former Vice Chancellor HAU spoke on Soil and Water management for sustainable agricultural development, Dr. S.P. Yadav, Jain Irrigation, Jalgaon, spoke on modern irrigation technologies for water conservation while Dr. M.L. Jatt, CIMMYT- India Office, New Delhi gave a presentation on conservation of agriculture – an option for Sustainable Intensification of agriculture in Punjab, Prof. P.K. Aggarwal from International water Management Institute spoke on Climate change and mitigation of its effects on agriculture, Barjinder Mechanisation expert from New Holland gave detailed presentation on need for mechanisation of Farm Operations, Dr. V.K. Taneja VC GADVASU spoke on role of livestock in Diversification of Farming and Vikram Ahuja alongwith Mohinder Singh Dosanjh both the progressive farmers also shared their experiences.//punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news, world news,

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