PAU Kisan Mela On March 18-19 To Highlight New Crop Varieties And Technologies

Ludhiana, March 16, 2016: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is gearing up to hold its two-day Kisan Mela at Ludhiana on March 18 and 19. Various departments of PAU would put up stalls to showcase the newly released crop varieties and latest agricultural technologies.

The Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics would inform the farmers about the newly released varieties of Kharifcrops namely PR 126 of rice (adhoc release), PBN 346 of napier bajra, ML 2056 of mugnbean and LD 949 of desi cotton. Experts would also explain the crop production technologies.

The Departments of Fruit Science and Vegetable Science would throw light on PAU fruit fly traps, new techniques of propagation in fruit plants, storage and ripening techniques, and recommended varieties of vegetables including tomato, chilli, pea, carrot, brinjal, garlic, turmeric etc.

The Departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology would give field demonstrations on integrated pest management in different field and vegetable crops, control of whitefly in cotton with recommended pesticides, beekeeping as a subsidiary venture, management of yellow and brown rusts in wheat, seed treatment for management of bacterial blight of rice, etc.

The Departments of Agronomy and Soil Science would delve on rice residue management, weed control in wheat and raya, bi-directional sowing of wheat, leaf colour chart technology, soil testing, and recycling of crop residues in fields.

The Department of Microbiology would acquaint the farmers with mushroom cultivation technology, use of bio-fertilizers for various crops and natural vinegar production from sugarcane and grapes.

The Departments of Processing and Food Engineering, and Food Science and Technology would apprise farmers of agro-processing complex, vegetable washing machine, value added and health food products, and preparation of fruit and vegetable products.

The Department of Zoology would give tips for the protection of crops from harmful birds and methods to control rodent pests while the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources would give marketing tips for poplar and eucalyptus in Punjab.

The Departments of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering; and Soil and Water Engineering would dwell on raising of mat type nursery, mechanical paddy transplanter, direct seeded rice machine, use of drip and sprinkler irrigation system, cultivation of vegetables in poly house and net house, and groundwater recharge through rooftop rainwater harvesting.

The School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology would create climate change awareness among the farmers and inform them about SMS weather alerts.

The School of Energy Studies for Agriculture would explain about biogas generation from paddy straw and forced circulation solar dryer for turmeric drying.

The College of Home Science would give demonstrations on solar cooker, solar dryer and hold competition in preparation of paper bags. Dr R.S. Sidhu, Director of Extension Education, PAU has urged the farmers and farm women to participate in mela in big number.