AGRICULTURE

Procurement agencies wait for farmers
Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 24
The paddy procurement scene in the state has been turned upside down if the arrival of paddy in small mandis is any indication. While in the past farmers had to wait for many days for the procurement agencies in small mandis, this year it is the turn of procurement agencies towait for the farmers.

A survey of smaller mandis in the district by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that in many small mandis, the procurement agencies had reached on September 21 and the farmers had not started arriving with their produce. The various mandis, including Lalton, Jodhan Mansooran, Dhandla, Kila Raipur, Dehlon and Savaddi, were all waiting for the farmers to download their produce.

In Lalton mandi the ‘baardana’ had reached on Saturday but not even a single quintal of paddy had reached the mandi. The farmers had started bringing their produce only today after they saw that the procurement process was all set to start.

In Jodhan Mansooran mandi the FCI had reached on September 21 and the baardana had arrived today. But the first arrival was noticed in this mandi only by afternoon. The Sub Inspector of Market Committee, Mullanpur, who was inspecting the procurement process in Jodhan Mansooran Mandi said this time the farmers had delayed the cultivation of the paddy following the recommendations of the Punjab Agricultural University. As a result of this the paddy was arriving late in mandis.

He said only 50 sacks of paddy were received today. He said the procurement process had started in advance as the farmers had started bringing their produce in bigger mandis many days ago. So the smaller mandis were waiting for them.

He said in Jodhan Mansooran village the farmers were yet to harvest the crop as it had not ripened as yet. He said this year the farmers had also learnt something from their past experiences. The produce which they were bringing in the mandis was well dried and had no moisture content and added that if the process continued the same way the farmers would not face any problem in the procurement.

Mr Malkiat Singh, a farmer from Sehjad village, who was the first and only one to bring his produce in this mandi till date while talking to Ludhiana Tribune expressed satisfaction and said he was able to sell his produce in just one hour. He said," I just brought it, downloaded it and got it cleaned and it was sold. The process has never been so smooth earlier.”

The farmers were of the view that due to the forthcoming elections they would not face any problem in the process of procurement of their produce this time. Mr Gurmit Singh, a farmer, said the farmers were very hopeful this year. He also said they were waiting to get their produce dried fully so that there was no moisture content and discolouration.

Darbara Singh, another farmer, said, he had harvested his paddy and had dried it also. He said he was storing it at his house and would bring it to the mandi tomorrow.

Lower cultivation cost, farmers told
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 24
“Indian agriculture today is at the crossroads. The entire agricultural scenario in the country has changed in the wake of WTO. Lowering the cost of cultivation is the need of the hour.” These remarks were made by Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, while inaugurating a two-day annual workshop on “Conservation tillage in rice-wheat cropping system”, here today.

Dr Aulakh further said in spite of all our achievements on the agricultural front, the scene was not very rosy. Increasing population was negating the progress on the agricultural front. So, serious efforts should be made to control population. At the same time efforts should be made to lower the cost of cultivation. Dr Aulakh said that" no-tillage technology” if successfully adopted, could greatly lower the cost of cultivation. He remarked at present there were four lakh tractors in Punjab. Investment alone on the tractors was to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore. “There can be a great saving, if no-tillage technology is adopted,” he remarked.

Speaking on the occasion Dr S.S. Bains, Director of Agriculture, Punjab, said Punjab farmers should lead the country by adopting no-tillage technology. He assured every possible help by his department to popularise this technology in Punjab.

Dr P.L. Gautam, National Director, NATP Programme, said the major objective of the programme was to evolve efficient tillage technologies so that expenditure on cultivation of crops could be lowered. He hoped that in future these technologies would gain more acceptance by farmers.

About 150 farmers and scientists from different parts of the country are participating in the workshop.

EDUCATION

UP minister visits PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 24
Mr Diwakar Vikram Singh, Minister for Agriculture, Uttar Pradesh, visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and held a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, and senior officials of PAU here today. Dr Aulakh told the minister that earlier emphasis was on increasing production, but now, in addition to production, emphasis was being given to bringing down the cost of cultivation and improving the quality so that farmers could compete in the international market.

Dr Aulakh said Uttar Pradesh was a big state with varied agriculture zones, but western Uttar Pradesh had problems similar to those in Punjab. Mutual cooperation and interaction among agricultural scientists of both states could help in solving these problems, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Diwakar Vikram Singh said he was impressed with the work of the university. The minister was honoured on the occasion. A set of university publications was also presented to him. The minister visited various departments of the university.

Earlier, the minister visited the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET). He had a meeting with scientists of CIPHET and said the Uttar Pradesh Government wanted to establish a similar institute at the agricultural university which was being set up at Meerut.

He also went round various departments of the institute and showed interest in various machines that were required in Uttar Pradesh also. Speaking on the occasion, he said post-harvest technology needed to be introduced in Uttar Pradesh and the government was keen on establishing a good centre there.

Seniority list demanded
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 24
The Punjab Education Department Ministerial Staff Association has sent a memorandum to the Director, DPI office, demanding formation of the seniority list for promotions of employees in the department. It warned that if the demand was not met within a week, the association would launch a stir.