The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

Record onion yield by Khamano farmer
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 1
The onion yield of 70 quintal from a half acre of land has not only taken people by surprise but has also set the vegetable market believing as only five onions can weigh 2 kg.

This exemplary task has been accomplished by Prem Singh, a progressive farmer of Khamano, Fatehgarh Sahib.

While displaying the yield at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Prem Singh said quality nursery and scientific method paved the way for such a produce.

He informed that he had developed a nutrition garden on the lines recommended by PAU. He also added if a farmer sweats out in the field, his hard work paid off like quality agricultural inputs.

Meanwhile, a training course in processing of fruits and vegetables is to be organised for farmers and farm women from June 11 to June 15 by the directorate of extension education, PAU, Ludhiana.

During the course, training would be imparted in preparation of pickles, jams, jelly, chutney, ketchup, murabba, squashes and sharbats etc. from seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Farmers start ploughing paddy

Samrala, June 1
Despite the instructions of Agriculture University to avoid the sapling of paddy crop, farmers have started ploughing the paddy crop.

The electricity supply in this region is only four hours daily. But with the help of generators and diesel pumps, farmers are still going along with this process.

The cost of this agriculture production is very high. Punjab Government and Agriculture University has banned this crop to protect the ground level of water. — OC

CULTURE

Sophie Dhaliwal is Miss New Zealand Panjaban
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 1
Sophie Dhaliwal has been crowned as Miss New Zealand Panjaban at an event organised by the NZI Culture Centre and Sabhyacharak Satth Punjab at the Telstra Pacific Event Centre, Manukau, New Zealand.

Jasmer Singh Dhatt, chairman of the Miss World Punjaban, said this was the first such event based on Punjabi culture and heritage in New Zealand.

The winner, whose real name is Manpreet Kaur (19), hails from Cambridge, Hamilton. She is studying Marketing and Media Journalism at University of Waikato.

He said the natural beauty hogged the lime light with her looks and left the spectators spellbound with her sterling performance.

After winning the title, she is determined to promote Punjabi language and culture in New Zealand. She will also represent the Punjabi girls of her country in the international level Miss World Panjaban pageant.

Jigyasa Dua of Auckland was the first runner up while Gurjeet Kaur from Hastings was the second runner up.

The contestants were judged in four rounds — talent, solo dance, heritage quiz and gidha.