Ludhiana, July 6
The monthly meeting of the PAU Kisan Club was held at PAU, Ludhiana.

Addressing members of the club, Mohinder Singh Grewal, a member of the Agricultural Costs and Price Commission, said the farmers should have a proper planning of the crops to increase their agricultural income. For this, they should follow the scientific techniques recommended by the PAU scientists.

He advised the farmers to shift from wheat-rice crop cycle to other crops like vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc. He suggested that by adopting the technique of self-marketing and maintaining the complete record of agricultural inputs and outputs, it would definitely improve the economic condition of the farmers.

Talking about the proper use of insecticides/pesticides, Jaspal Singh Virk, entomologist, advised the farmers to take care of the required precautions while spraying the insecticides.

Talking about tissue culture, S.S. Gossal, plant breeder, highlighted the importance of tissue culture and said this was the best technique to prepare the seed of potatoes, sugarcane, vegetables, fruits and flowers.

The other scientists also spoke on the importance of forestry, technique of net houses and other issues related to agriculture.

Tejinder Singh Riar, coordinator of the club, told that the three-month training course for young farmers will be held at PAU from August 1. The matriculate farmers of age 20 to 40 years can join this training course. The last date for the submission of applications is July 23 and the interview will be held on July 27 at Kairon Kisan Ghar.

Ludhiana, July 6
In order to get the feedback directly from farmers about the problems faced by them, Punjab Agricultural University yesterday organised a farmers’ meet in Wheat Auditorium here.

Progressive farmers, fruit and vegetable growers from all over Punjab attended the meet. They aired their grievances and sought solutions for the problems. The meet was presided over by vice-chancellor M.S. Kang.

Farmers from Bathinda pointed out that the mealy bug attack on cotton is playing havoc and wanted the university to guide them for its control.

N.S. Butter, head, entomology department, said: “Experts are constantly monitoring cotton fields in Bathinda, Muktsar and Ferozepur districts. Farmers need not be panicky.”

Varinder Singh from Muktsar pointed out that the university had recommended only four varieties of Bt cotton, while the state government had approved 16 varieties. He also mentioned the shortage of good quality seed as the reason for low production.

Director research G.S. Chahal informed the farmers that out of the 14 Bt. cotton varieties only 4 had been found to yield more in Punjab and only high yielding varieties had been recommended.

Jagatbir Singh of Dalalpur village, Patiala district, wanted to know if organic farming was feasible in Punjab.

Viraj Beri informed that sufficient quality of FVM is not available to promote organic farming in a big way. Individual farmers, however, can adopt organic farming if they rope in buyers who are ready to pay extra for organic crops to compensate the yield loss in such farming.

In response to a question on the prospects of cultivation of medicinal plants, S.S. Saini said out of 10,000 available species only few are suitable in Punjab.

“Marketing of these crops is a big bottleneck and farmers should grow these crops if they get buyers in advance,” he said.

In his presidential remarks, the vice-chancellor said farmers’ feedback was important for the university as it helped in giving a new direction to the research

Patiala, July 6
Preparations for the BEd entrance test, being conducted by Punjabi University on July 15, are in full swing.

Sources said 166 examination centres had been set up for 40,000 candidates in 21 towns, including all district headquarters of Punjab and Chandigarh.

Roll numbers of the candidates have been dispatched and are expected to reach them by the end of the first week of July.

Candidates who do not receive their admit card-cum-roll number slip by July 9 can collect a duplicate one personally from the university on July 10 and 11. They must bring along one attested photograph.

For further query, they can contact at BEd Entrance Test Cell on phone Nos. 0175-3046391 and 3046392.

Candidates can submit their forms with late fee of Rs 2,000 till July 7.