Training programme on “Postharvest Management, Value Addition and Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables” for farmers of Hoshiarpur district

Ludhiana, October 31, 2019: The Punjab Horticultural Postharvest Technology Centre (PHPTC), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organized a training programme on the “Postharvest Management, Value Addition and Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables” for the farmers of Hoshiarpur district. About 25 farmers attended the training programme that was conducted in collaboration with Skill Development Centre. Dr BVC Mahajan, Director of the Centre, informed about various on-going schemes of the State government and advised the farmers to avail financial assistance of these schemes through the Department of Horticulture. He also discussed simple techniques for maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables through packaging and storage. Dr Rakesh Sharda and Dr Shivani Sharma delivered thought provoking lectures on protected cultivation, drip irrigation of vegetables and mushroom farming, respectively. Dr Ritu Tandon and Dr Varsha Kanojia educated the farmers about judicious use of pesticides and processing technologies for fruits and vegetables, respectively. Dr TS Riar, Associate Director (Skill Development), motivated the farmers to create self-help groups or Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) for profitable marketing. Bikramjit Singh, HDO-cum-Nodal Officer, demonstrated the techniques for grading, packaging, ripening and storage of fruits and vegetables. Farmers were also given relevant literature during the training programme.