Training course on “preparation of natural vinegar and non-alcoholic carbonated beverages from fruits” concludes at PAU

Ludhiana, November 28, 2019: A two-day training course on the “Preparation of Natural Vinegar and Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages from Fruits” concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on Wednesday. A total of 25 participants attended the course, which was coordinated by the Directorate of Extension Education. Dr TS Riar, Associate Director (Skill Development), welcomed the participants. Dr GS Kocher, Head, Department of Microbiology, said the experts imparted training in the preparation of natural vinegar and non-alcoholic carbonated beverages from fruits, their packaging and marketing, and loan facilities offered by the banks. Dr PP Sahota, Dr Keshani and Dr Gulab Pandove, microbiology experts, also interacted with the trainees. Dr Rupinder Kaur, Professor of Extension Education, while proposing the vote of thanks, motivated the trainees to start their own enterprises after acquiring training from PAU for income enhancement. PAU TO IMPART TRAINING IN SUGARCANE JUICE PROCESSING The Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, is all set to organise one-day training programme on “Sugarcane Juice Processing to Quality Jaggery” on November 29. Rural entrepreneurs, progressive farmers and other interested candidates who are in jaggery processing or are already processing the sugarcane juice to jaggery will participate in this training progamme. A relevant PAU literature like Package of Practices will be supplied to the trainees on the occasion. TRAINING COURSE ON PROCESSING OF HORTI-PRODUCE BEGINS AT PAU A five-day training programme on “Post-harvest Management and Processing of Horticultural Produce” began at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) under the guidance of Dr JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU. The programme has been designed for the farmers of Mizoram. Dr TS Riar, Associate Director, Skill Development, said the experts will present general overview of post-harvest practices in horticultural produce, and pre-cooling techniques for enhancing shelf life and marketing period of horticultural produce. Besides, experts will shed light on pack house design and operations, honey processing and packaging, estimation of quality parameters of fruits and vegetables, post-harvest handling of horticultural produce, packaging techniques for fruits and vegetables, and processing of spice crops and onion, he informed. Dr Rupinder Kaur, Professor of Extension Education, said the trainees will be provided knowledge about the use of solar dryers for drying of horticultural produce; refrigerated storage of fruits and vegetables; cleaning, grading and waxing of citrus fruits; and processing of mentha. Dr Tarsem Chand, technical coordinator of the course, said the trainees will visit Punjab Horticultural Post-harvest Technology Centre, Food Industry Business Incubation Centre, Centre of Excellence for Citrus Fruits and farm of a progressive farmer. PAU TO ORGANIZE TRAINING COURSE FOR HDOs AND KVK SCIENTISTS The Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), will organize a two-day training course on “Precision Technologies for Fruits and Vegetables” for horticulture development officers (HDOs) and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) on November 28 and 29. During the course, experts of farm machinery and power engineering, processing and food engineering, and soil and water engineering will present an overview of precision agriculture and give demonstrations on farm machinery related to horticultural crops, and micro irrigation system and poly house technology including hydroponics. In addition, experts will explain citrus grading, waxing and packaging; protected cultivation with green houses and low tunnels; declining water resources in Punjab and its remedial measures; land levelling equipment (laser land leveller and bed planter) and planting equipment (vegetable planter and direct seeding of vegetable crops). PAU GEARS UP TO HOLD CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW ON DEC 3-4 The “24th Chrysanthemum Show-cum-Sale” will be organized by the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), on December 3 and 4, 2019 in the premises of Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium in collaboration with Estate Organization of PAU. Since its inception in 1996, the show is organized every year in the memory of a renowned Punjabi poet Bhai Vir Singh Ji who had mentioned chrysanthemums in his poems. The PAU Vice Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon will inaugurate the Chrysanthemum Show on December 3 at 12.30 pm. Dr KK Dhatt, Head, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, said about 2,000 flower pots of more than 90 varieties of chrysanthemum will be displayed for sale and a competition will be held in 14 major categories (incurved, Reflexed, Intermediate, Spider, Quilled, Decorative, Single/Semi double, Pompon/Button, Anemone, Spoon, any other, specially trained chrysanthemums, arrangement of pots and cut flowers) among the individuals and institutions. The show will provide an opportunity to the visitors to interact with experts and get useful tips for the growing of flowers, particularly, chrysanthemums, she added. The flowers are becoming more and more popular due to change in lifestyle and awareness for environment among the people, she stated.