PAU holds Kisan Mela at Rauni (Patiala), Dr Kalkat urges farmers to save water

Ludhiana/Patiala, March 16, 2015: “Water is an essential input of life. There is a need to make judicious use of water and save it for coming generations,” said Dr G.S Kalkat Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ Commission while inaugurating the regional Kisan Mela, organised by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) at its Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rauni, Patiala. Dr Baldev Singh, Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU presided over the mela. Besides, S. Jang Bahadur Singh Sangha, Member, PAU Board of Management was present on the occasion.

Dr Kalkat called upon the farmers to conserve natural resources and maintain soil health. Citing a successful example of the performance of Happy Seeder machine in Sangrur district, he urged the farmers to take maximum benefit of state government policies.

Sangha stressed on using farm inputs as per requirement and on reducing the cost of production.

Dr Dhillon said that the theme of the mela “Adopt Crop Diversification, Save Natural Resources” aims at promoting diversification in the state for natural resource conservation. He said that alongwith crop diversification, diversification among crop varieties is also vital. “Farmers should make of use fertilizers only after thorough soil testing,” he advised. Further, Dr Dhillon impressed upon the farmers to opt for agro-processing in order to get high returns for their produce. Urging the farming community to read PAU farm publications for the upgradation of knowledge, he suggested the stakeholders to connect themselves with the University experts through internet.

Earlier, Dr R.S. Sidhu, Director of Extension Education welcomed the dignitaries and the participating farmers. He advised the farmers to keep visiting Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Scheme across Punjab for technical guidance. “With the trainings obtained from these centres, farmers can adopt subsidiary occupations for income enhancement,” he added. A huge gathering of farmers in these melas shows that farmers repose full faith in PAU’s research, he added.

Presenting the research highlights of PAU, Dr Balwinder Singh, Director of Research said that the University is conducting research on nearly 100 crops. “PAU has recommended/developed 750 crop varieties till date,” he told, while explaining about newly released crop varieties, and their production and protection technologies.

The Chief Agriculture Officer of the district, Dr J.S. Sandhu highlighted the activities of the department.

Dr Jaswinder Singh, Deputy Director, KVK, Patiala, proposed the vote of thanks. On the occasion, an exhibition was put up by different departments of PAU, KVKs, and self-help groups. Besides, experts answered all the queries of the farmers. Seeds of new varieties, produced by PAU, were in great demand among the farmers. In addition, the farmers were offered subscription of University farm magazines on 50 per cent discount.