PUNJAB GOVERNOR INAUGURATES BATHINDA KISAN MELA

Ludhiana, March 27, 2018: The Kisan Mela of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) held at the Regional Research Station, Bathinda today, witnessed a heavy footfall. Farmers from Bathinda and neighboring areas thronged the one-day fair. The theme of the Kisan Mela was “Reduce agricultural expenditure, use water and fertilizers judiciously and adopt subsidiary occupations to make farming profitable”. The Mela was inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of PAU, Sh V.P. Singh Badnore while Sh. M.P. Singh Issar, Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, was the Guest of Honour. Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Mr. J.M. Balamurugan, Secretary to Governor of Punjab, officers of the state and district administration as well as the officers of PAU were also present on the occasion.

In his inaugural address, Sh Badnore, greeted the gathering and said that the prime objective of such pastoral fairs is two-way interaction between the agricultural scientists and the farmers. Lauding the role of PAU, he said, “The symbiotic relationship shared by PAU with the farmers is matchless.” He hailed the Punjab farmers for toiling hard to make the country food secure. Equating the kisan melas to knowledge-encapsulated events, he advocated a two-pronged strategy for ensuring a lucrative agricultural enterprise, viz., judicious expenditure and adoption of subsidiary ventures. Sh Badnore commended the white fly management by PAU and advocated the use of PAU developed Happy Seeder to curb stubble burning. He said he was highly impressed by the Kisan Mela held at Ludhiana; the mela at Bathinda was just a smaller version of it in size with a similar spirit. Towards the end, he applauded the relentless efforts put in by the university scientists for serving the farming community.

The Guest of Honour, Sh M.P. Singh Issar congratulated the farmers and attributed the success to their hard work. He said that the different stalls and new varieties showcased in the mela spoke volumes of hard work put in by the scientists and farmers collectively. Distress in agriculture, be it due to vagaries of weather or manmade reasons, cannot be overlooked, he added. He pointed out that such limitations can be overcome with a joint effort from the farmers and agriculture experts. Enumerating problems like climate change, declining water table, marketing of agricultural produce, overuse of insecticides and pesticides, he said interactive collaboration between the farming community and the scientists can prevent them.

Delivering his remarks, Dr B.S. Dhillon, thanked the farmers for their trust and strong connection with the university and its recommendations. To stay in consonance with the Central Government’s theme of doubling the farm income in the near future, he suggested that the farming community must look at mushroom cultivation, bee keeping, dairy and horticulture as income generating sources. Divulging details about the prevailing water crisis, Dr Dhillon called for judicious water usage by using various university recommended techniques and technologies like the laser land leveler and sowing early maturing rice varieties. Complimenting the farmers for their regular inputs, he said they aided in reprioritizing as well as reorienting research at PAU. Citing the example of Integrated Pest Management in curbing the white fly menace, Dr Dhillon appealed to the farmers to use fertilizer and pesticide judiciously, adopt neem-coated urea and green manure. He also informed about the need for seed treatment before sowing of specific crops as this would also require lesser fertilizer and pesticide, thereby bringing down input cost and enhancing income. To enhance agri-profits, Dr Dhillon suggested the farmers to take stock of their farm expenses regularly, use improved seed and shun unnecessary expenditure. Emphasizing skill development, Dr Dhillon advised the farmers to bring their produce to the university food industry centre and take hands-on training in processing. He also called upon the farmers to connect with experts through whatsapp and other available social media handles.

Highlighting the research achievements of the PAU, Dr. Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, apprised the farmers with the new varieties launched by the university. He emphasized on the economic stability of the farmers along with the increased productivity of crops. He advocated judicious use of limited resources like water, fertilizers and insecticides in order to cut the expenses on farming. He recommended the sowing of early maturing rice varieties PR 121, PR126, PR 127 as these mature early, require less water and give yield equal to PUSA 44. Arhar 882 and PAU Bt 1 were also recommended. The PAU is now reprioritizing its research in perspective of new challenges faced by agriculture with particular emphasis on depleting water resources, climate change and rising cost of cultivation, he added.

Dr Jaskaran Singh Mahal, Director Extension, PAU, while welcoming the dignitaries and the farmers, urged the farmers to follow PAU recommendations. He exhorted them to attend trainings imparted at the various KVKs of the university. Such trainings would arm them with the latest knowledge to tackle the challenges which came in the form of weather, weeds, pests, etc. He encouraged them to adopt subsidiary occupations such as beekeeping, mushroom cultivation and food processing to enhance their income. Later, Dr. Paramjit Singh, Director, Regional Research Station, Bathinda proposed the vote of thanks to the gathering.

Several stalls with exhibits as diverse as implements, improved seeds, solar energy, farm literature, etc., were put up at the mela. The scientists of PAU answered a volley of questions from the farmers during an interactive session. Subject matter specialists of PAU gave useful tips to farmers about the new crop production and protection technologies, farm mechanization for Kharif crops, etc. There was a huge rush of farmers for the purchase of seeds and vegetable mini kits. Farmers also purchased farm literature and fruit plants from the sale outlets that were set-up for the purpose. The Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour were honoured by Dr B.S. Dhillon with a memento.