Latest agri news from Punjab

Ludhiana, December 5, 2019: 215 FARMERS AND FARM WOMEN ATTEND PAU KISAN CLUB TRAINING CAMP: A total of 215 farmers and farm women from different parts of Punjab participated in the monthly training camp of PAU Kisan Club, held today under the guidance of Dr JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU.
Dr TS Riar, Associate Director (Skill Development), welcomed the farmers and threw light on the activities of the club.
Experts Dr MS Bhullar, Dr SL Dhaliwal, Dr Amarjit Singh and Dr KG Singh explained the weed management in rabi crops, soil nutrients, disease management in rabi crops and hydroponics technology, respectively.
Dr Kiran Grover, food and nutrition expert, highlighted the nutritional benefits of seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Gurdev Kaur Deol of Global Self-help Group, Ayali Khurd, Ludhiana, demonstrated the making of pickle, chutney, jam and candy from amla.
Dr Tanya Thakur informed about the management of seasonal flowers.
Dr Vandana Gandotra and Ms Bhupinder Kaur proposed the vote of thanks.

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA SAMRALA CELEBRATED WORLD SOIL DAY AT VILLAGE MAJRI
Under the guidance of Dr. S.C. Sharma, Associate Director (Trg), Krishi Vigyan Kendra Samrala celebrated World Soil Day at village Majri on 5, December, 2019. About 70 farmers and farm women participated in the event. Mr. Parveen Bhatia, AGM, NABARD was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Dr. Harshneet Singh (Assistant Professor, Soil Science) welcomed Chief Guest and other dignitaries. Dr. S.C. Sharma, Associate Director (Trg), Krishi Vigyan Kendra Samrala urged the farmers to maintain strong linkages with KVK and to adopt subsidiary occupations to enhance the family income. Mr. Parveen Bhatia, AGM, NABARD talked about the importance of soil testing for judicious use of fertilizers as continuous use of chemical fertilizers affects soil health. He highlighted the various schemes of NABARD for farmers. Dr. Shivani Rana, Assistant Professor, Home Science motivated the farmers and farm women to form self-help groups and FPOs. Mrs Avneet Kaur, Assistant Professor, Horticulture stressed upon the need of adopting subsidiary occupation such as Mushroom cultivation for increasing agriculture income. Er. Karun Sharma, elaborated about the Paddy Straw Management techniques, care and maintenance of farm machinery. He also talked about management of Gulli Danda. Dr. Harshneet Singh, Assistant Professor (Soil Science), demonstrated the soil sampling technique. He briefed the farmers about importance of soil testing, how to read soil reports and emphasized the farmers to get their soil tested for balanced use of fertilizers. He told that use of biofertilizers, green manures and farmyard manure improves soil health and decrease dependence on chemical fertilizers. Farmers were given soil health cards and the farmers who successfully managed paddy straw without burning were awarded. Dr. Shivani Rana proposed vote of thanks.

KVK, ROPAR CELEBRATED WORLD SOIL DAY
KVK, Ropar under the aegis of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and ICAR, New Delhi celebrated World Soil Day on 05th December, 2019 at village Thauna, district Ropar. Around 100 farmers and farm women of nearby villages participated in this programme. Dr. G. S. Makkar, Deputy Director (Trg.) KVK, Ropar welcomed the farmers and farm women and highlighted the history & importance of the World Soil Day. He also elaborated various trainings & rural development programmes offered by KVK for the benefit of farmers of the area. Dr. Opinder Singh Sandhu, Assistant Professor (Soil Science) sensitized the farmers regarding importance of soil testing and judicial use of fertilizers. He also discussed the role of crop residue management in improving soil health and encouraged the farmers to go for soil testing to increase their productivity and reduce cost of production. On this occasion, a method demonstration on ‘Soil sampling techniques for crop fields & orchards’ was conducted for the farmers. Soil health cards prepared by KVK Ropar were also distributed to the farmers. At the end, an open interaction with farmers regarding their field problems was held followed by diagnostic field visits to the farmers’ fields.