2-Day kisan mela concludes at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on happy note

Ludhiana: The two-day Kisan Mela concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on September 22, 2019 on a happy note. Swarms of farmers and farm women from Punjab and adjoining states thronged the mela that celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The theme of the mela was “Pawan Guru Pani Pita Maata Dharat Mahat.” Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab, who was the chief guest, congratulated the farmers of Punjab as well as the PAU for “Krishi Karman Award” to be bestowed on Punjab for record paddy production. He disclosed, “Last year, six pesticides were recommended by PAU for export quality basmati production. The result has been excellent as not even a single consignment of basmati came back. This has brought recognition to the farmers of Punjab across the globe for quality basmati production. This year, nine pesticides have been recommended and we hope to earn the same recognition.” Stating that the period from October 15 to November 15 will witness the celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Punjab, he advised the farmers not to indulge in paddy straw burning and rather follow Guru’s teachings of managing it using various technologies. “Keep the environment pollution free,” he exhorted the farmers. Mr Pannu lauded the farmers for reducing the use of urea during the last two years. Krishan Lal, a progressive farmer from Rajasthan, highly praised PAU for the successful organization of the Kisan Mela as well as the farmers for their massive participation in the mela. In his presidential remarks, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, appreciated the efforts of PAU scientists, State Department of Agriculture and the farmers for bringing down pesticide consumption, managing whitefly in cotton and paddy straw successfully, and obtaining record yield during the last year. The University is laying a special thrust on precision farming in addition to agro-processing and value addition, marketing and export, and kitchen garden model. He also highlighted the salient features of the newly released varieties. Dr Dhillon was all praise for the unprecedented response of the farmers and farm women to the two-day Kisan Mela. Dr JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, called upon the farmers to remain in touch with PAU experts and follow University recommendations from time to time. “This mela is for you” he said to the farmers, while hailing their massive participation. Later he proposed the vote of thanks. Dr JS Bhalla, Head, Department of Extension Education, and Dr TS Riar, Professor of Extension Education, coordinated the programme. Five PAU scientists and one agriculture officer were honoured at the mela. These included Dr KS Thind, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement); Dr Sarvjeet Singh, Senior Plant Breeder (Pulses); Dr Satnam Singh, Assistant Entomologist, Regional Research Station, Faridkot; Dr Mandeep Singh, Associate Director (Training), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur; Dr Simerjeet Kaur, Assistant Agonomist; and Dr BS Brar, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar. Dr Dhillon honoured Mr Kahan Singh Pannu with a shawl and memento. The chief guest released S. Mohinder Singh Dosanjh’s book entitled “Punjab de Pendu ate Jehati Samaj da Puratan Sabhyachaar” and other set of publications, brought out by PAU. On the occasion, winning farmers and farm women of several competitions were given away prizes. Farmers made a beeline to purchase the quality and improved seed at the mela. They also saw demonstrations, discussed their agri-related issues with PAU scientists, visited farm literature stalls and agro-industrial exhibition, etc. PAU AWARDS PRIZES TO WINNING FARMERS AND FARM WOMEN Farmers and farm women, who won various competitions, were awarded prizes on the concluding day of the Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on September 22, 2019. In crop produce competition, Taranjit Singh (Bathinda), Jagpal Singh (Bathinda), Jasvir Kaur (Sangrur), Manjit Singh (Sangrur), Tirath Singh (Sangrur), Amarjit Singh (Faridkot), Paramjit Singh (Fatehgarh Sahib), Bikramjit Singh (Sangrur), Jasprit Singh (Fatehgarh Sahib) and Sukhdev Singh (Bathinda) were awarded first prize for ram tori, brinjal, cucumber, bitter gourd, chilli, ghiya kaddu, okra, pumpkin, onion and French beans, respectively. Farmers, namely, Jatinder Singh (Gurdaspur), Harinder Singh (Gurdaspur) and Sandeep Singh (Sangrur) got first prize for maize, sugarcane and canola oil, respectively. Satnam Singh (Faridkot), Malkit Singh (Bathinda), Ravi Dhingra (Fazilka) and Rubash Jakhar (Fazilka) bagged first prize for malta, lemon, grape fruit and aonla, respectively. Harneej Kaur (Fatehgarh Sahib), Sukhdev Singh (Bathinda) and Jasmeet Kaur (Amritsar) bagged first prize for karonda, rose and gladiolus, respectively. In home science competitions, first prizes were won by Charanjit Kaur (Moga) for preparation of nutritious snacks (phoshtik pakwaan), Jasbir Kaur (Ludhiana) for crocheting, Harjeet Kaur (Ludhiana) for reuse of waste and Aishveer Kaur (Ludhiana) for drawing competition. Jaswinder Kaur (Jalandhar) of HRJ Foods was awarded first prize among women entrepreneurs. Among PAU stalls, Department of Entomology, Department of Soil Science and Department of Plant Pathology were awarded first, second and third prize, respectively. In field demonstrations, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Department of Vegetable Science and Department of Agronomy won first, second and third prize, respectively. The Farm Advisory Service Centre (FASC), Fazilka; FASC, Bathinda and FASC, Taran Tarn were awarded first, second and third prize, respectively, for Punjab Naujawan Kisan Sanstha. In the category of farm machinery and implements, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (SAS Nagar) and KS Agriculture Limited (Sangrur) bagged first prize for tractors and combines, respectively. Rajson Agro Engineers (Ahmedgarh) won first prize for reapers, threshers and self-propelled equipment, while Lemken India (Nagpur) got first prize for tractor driven implements. Sharp Industries (Amritsar) bagged first prize for tools and sprayers, while Jain Irrigation Systems Limited (New Delhi) got first prize for water saving tools and machines. The IFFCO (Ludhiana) got first prize for fertilizers, while Syngenta India Limited (Maharashtra) bagged first prize for pesticides. The KC Marketing Company (Ludhiana) won first prize for agro-processing machinery. Meanwhile, the Director of Extension Education of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Dr JS Mahal has expressed his thankfulness to the farmers and farm women of the Punjab as well as the neighboring states for their large scale participation and overwhelming response to the two-day Kisan Mela of the University. Earlier, PAU has been organizing the mela on Friday and Saturday but this year for the first time, the mela was organized on Saturday and Sunday, which was a big hit among farmers and farm women, he said. The sea of farmers visiting PAU during the mela was a testimony to their faith and trust, which they repose in the University, he observed. “Huge rush was seen for the purchase of improved seed and farm literature. Visiting farmers and farm women showed eagerness to learn about new crop varieties and their production-protection technologies, and improved home management activities, respectively. Winning farmers and farm women were awarded prizes and agro-industrial exhibition was a big attraction at the mela,” he added. On the whole, the mela celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with the theme “Pawan Guru Paani Pita Mata Dharat Mahat” was a mega event and a grand success. DEDICATED FARMER MAHINDER SINGH DOSANJH PENS BOOK ON GLORIOUS PAST OF PUNJAB’s FARMING: A dedicated farmer of Punjab Mahinder Singh Dosanjh has penned a book entitled “Pendu Punjab te Kisani da Puratan Sabhyachaar” which presents a deep insight into the glorious past of Punjab’s farming. The book has been edited by Dr Jagwinder Singh Jodha, Editor (Punjabi), PAU. Dosanjh said the cultural heritage of Punjab is deeply connected with the farmers and their farming. “The book throws light on the condition of the farmers in the contemporary times; their rising problems; their disconnection with their traditional farming culture; and the missing warmth, affection, simplicity and manual work. The book speaks of the solitude of the present-day Punjab’s farmer,” he added. The book, which presents the traditional peasantry life of Doaba, would enable the generation Y to have a glimpse of the old Punjab with special thrust on warm human relations, he said. Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said Mahinder Singh Dosanjh has set up a fine example for other farmers. “Hailing from Jagatpur village in Doaba, he has established a farm under the name ‘Adarsh.’ Dosanjh has developed this farm following PAU recommendations through which he motivates the rural youth to become self-reliant. A simple man, Dosanjh is an encyclopaedia of traditional farming culture,” he added. This book will acquaint the new generation, which has only seen agricultural mechanization, with the ways how agriculture made progress during the last several decades, he said. The book was released by Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab, who was the chief guest on the concluding day of the Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).