Kisan Mela on Mar 23, 24

Kisan Mela on Mar 23, 24

Ludhiana:The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is gearing up to hold its two-day Kisan Mela in Ludhiana on March 23 and 24. Lakhs of farmers from Punjab and adjoining states are expected to participate in the mela, which is based on the theme “Cut farm expenses, use water and fertilisers judiciously; adopt subsidiary occupations and increase farm profit substantially.”

Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, has called upon farmers to participate in the fair along with their families. With focus on crop diversification and natural resource conservation, PAU experts would exhort farmers to diversify their fields using alternative crops and adopt new techniques regarding judicious use of water, agro-chemicals and other farm inputs, thus, leading to income enhancement and sustainable agriculture, he said.

Live demonstrations and interaction with experts, purchase of quality seed and farm literature; and participation in produce competition have always been the main attractions of the Kisan Mela, he said. The mela will also promote the adoption of subsidiary occupations and other enterprises among farmers and rural women to augment their income, he said.

Dr Navtej Singh Bains, director of research, PAU, said agriculture in Punjab is moving ahead with improved varieties and technologies. “The university’s major thrust is on developing new crop varieties and their production, protection and processing technologies for enhancing productivity and profitability of farmers,” he said. Farmers’ participation in Kisan Mela and gathering information about latest recommendations made in the field of agriculture would help in enhancing their knowledge and giving them better economic returns, he said.

JS Mahal, director of extension education, said: “Kisan Melas play a key role in disseminating improved knowledge among farmers.” Field demonstrations and elaborate exhibitions on improved varieties, production–protection technologies, beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, nutritional gardening and protected cultivation would be organised for farmers, he said. — TNS