WORKSHOP BEGINS AT PAU, EXPERTS LAUD HORTI-PRODUCTION IN INDIA

Ludhiana, January 11, 2018: “The cultivation of horticultural crops can play an important role in enhancing the income of the small farmers,” said Dr P.S.Aulakh, Director of Horticulture, Punjab, while inaugurating the two-day “Research and Extension Specialists’ Workshop for Fruits, Mushroom, Agro-forestry along with Post-Harvest Management, Farm Power and Machinery, Food Technology and Agricultural Economics” at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. The workshop has been organized by the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU. The officials from the Department of Horticulture, Punjab; district extension specialists; scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres; horticulture officers from Jammu and Srinagar; and University faculty attended the inaugural session.

In his address, Dr Aulakh said the year 2016-17 witnessed a record horticulture production of 305 million tonnes with gross domestic product (GDP) touching 11.4 per cent, surpassing that of agriculture in India. The State government is laying a lot of emphasis on promoting citrus cultivation among farmers, he added. Protected cultivation also has enormous scope in Punjab but farmers must acquire training before opting for it, he stressed. “The Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur, has carved a niche for itself in the international arena and is providing home delivery of nursery to the farmers in Punjab,” he disclosed. Two Centres of Excellence for Floriculture and Beekeeping are also coming up in the state, he informed. Dr Aulakh observed work on sericulture, post-harvest management and other fruits such as date palm needs to be given impetus.

Dr Navtej Bains, Director of Research, PAU, said horticultural crops offer a viable option for crop diversification. He highlighted the characteristics of the newly developed varieties namely ‘Punjab Safeda’ and ‘Punjab Kiran’ of guava, ‘Early Gold’ of malta, and a rootstock for kinnow ‘Carrizo.’ Dr Bains also informed about production and protection technologies for various crops

In his welcome remarks, Dr K.S. Thind, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement), said PAU is laying thrust on nutritional security and has recommended a nutrition garden plan, suggesting plantation of 21 different types of fruit plants in an area of 1.25 kanal. “Fruit cultivation and water conservation need to be promoted,” he stressed.

Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education, observed, “Farmers can gain profit by cultivating fruits and vegetables as well as through value addition.” Later, he proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr T.S. Riar, Professor of Extension Education, coordinated the inaugural session. On the occasion, various departments of PAU organized an exhibition, highlighting several crop varieties and their production-protection technologies.