Preparations In Full Swing For Kisan Mela At PAU on March 18-19

Ludhiana, March 16, 2016: The preparations are in full swing at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for the forthcoming Kisan Mela at Ludhiana on March 18 and 19. The theme of the mela “Kheti melain de rang, sudhre beej, machinery, kitaban de sang” seeks to promote the use of improved seeds, optimum use of agricultural machinery and regular reading of farm literature.
Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU said, “-19Kisan Melas/Divas play an important role in dissemination of latest farm information and agricultural technologies among the farmers.” Under one roof, farmers are acquainted with the new technologies through live demonstrations, exhibitions and technical sessions, he added. They (farmers) can interact with the scientists, share their farm issues, visit live demonstrations, participate in produce competition and question-answer session, and purchase improved seeds and farm literature, he said. Not only this, Kisan Mela would also apprise farm women of allied agriculture enterprises and household management practices, he added. Dr Dhillon called upon the farmers and the farm women to participate in the mela in large number.
Dr Balwinder Singh, Director of Research, PAU said, “For future of Punjab agriculture, focus on natural resource conservation, environment and farm profitability is vital.” This is being given top priority at PAU and the technologies being developed are in the direction of conserving the valuable natural resources, which are critical for agriculture sustainability. Stating that many such technologies would be showcased in the Kisan Mela, Dr Singh appealed to the farmers to participate actively in the farmers’ fair.
Dr R.S. Sidhu, Director of Extension Education, said that field demonstrations on new varieties, production and protection technologies would be conducted for the visiting farmers. In addition, an elaborate exhibition of improved varieties of cereal crops, vegetables, fruits and flowers; water management; soil health management; weed control; insect-pest and disease control; bee-keeping; mushroom cultivation; nutritional gardening; improved methods of irrigation; protected cultivation etc. would be organized for the farmers, he told. The main feature of the mela would be method demonstration of farm machinery and agro-industrial exhibition, he added. Dr Sidhu further said that five progressive farmers from various parts of Punjab would be honoured on the first day of Kisan Mela for excellence in agriculture and horticulture. He called upon the farmers to participate in the mela alongwith their families.