ADOPT CROP DIVERSIFICATION: LAKHOWAL URGES FARMERS

Ludhiana, November 3, 2016: The Chairman of Punjab Mandi Board, S. Ajmer Singh Lakhowal today called upon the farmers to diversify their cropping pattern by growing fruits, vegetables and other alternative crops. He expressed these views while inaugurating the monthly training camp of PAU Kisan Club at the farm of S. Amrinder Singh, General Secretary of the club, in the village Lakhowal, district Ludhiana today. As many as 475 farmers from various parts of Punjab participated in the camp. Besides, a monthly training camp of women’s wing of the club was organized at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in which 50 farm women participated. Meanwhile, a state level training-cum-workshop for members of Progressive Beekeepers Association (PBKA) was also organized at PAU, in which 70 beekeepers participated.

S. Lakhowal urged the farmers to adopt subsidiary occupations such as mushroom cultivation and beekeeping for financial sustainability. On the occasion, he also inaugurated an agro-processing unit at S. Amrinder Singh’s farm.

Dr T.S. Riar, Coordinator of the club, said that agro-processing units would be set-up at farms of all the members of the club. This would lead to production, processing and marketing in all the villages, he added. Dr Riar informed that the seeds of wheat varieties namely PBW 725, PBW 677 and HD 3086; Consortium biofertiliser and water testing kits were made available to farmers during the camp.

Dr Parminder Singh, a vegetable scientist, educated the farmers about low tunnel cultivation of vegetables.

Dr J.S. Gill, an expert of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, delivered lecture-cum-demonstration on the use of Lucky Seed Drill/Happy Seed Drill for wheat sowing.

Dr Tarsem Chand, an expert of Processing and Food Engineering, apprised the farmers of the establishment of small scale agro-processing unit.

Dr Babita Kumar, Director, School of Business Management, informed about the procedure for honey export.

Dr P.K. Chhuneja, an entomology expert, dwelt on the management of honey-bee hives in the winter season.

S. Manpreet Singh Grewal, President of the club also spoke on the occasion. Farmers shared their experiences during the camp. S. Simranjeet Singh, President, PBKA interacted with the beekeepers and discussed their issues.

Presenting an overview of the women’s activities, Dr Rupinder Kaur, Coordinator of women’s wing of the club, said that experts of food and nutrition gave demonstrations on the preparation of nutritious recipes using oilseeds like alsi, til and peanut.