Aulakh seeks govt aid for farmers
Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, September 5
The annual Kisan mela, inaugurated by President Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam at Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) yesterday, concluded today. Delivering a talk to farmers on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, said that the Indian agriculture was at crossroads today and only help from the government could form a conducive environment for the Indian farmer to compete in the world market.

Giving instances of subsidies to farmers in various countries, Dr Aulakh said that on an average, Canada provides $ 9,000, EU gives $ 17,000 and the USA helps with $21000 per year to every farmer, which is an enormous subsidy compared to Rs 2900 being given to Indian farmer. He advocated diversification to counter the challenges in agriculture. Suggesting certain standpoints which can help met these challenges, Dr Aulakh said that the creation of adequate marketing infrastructure, dissemination of marketing information, judicious use of irrigation water and other inputs like fertilisers and pesticides, afforestation and facilities for post-harvest handling and processing of perishable products can put agriculture on the right track. He advised the farmers to produce pulses, fruits and vegetables for their domestic use.

Dr J.S. Kolar, Director of Extension Education, PAU, was also present on the occasion and he cautioned the farmers against the wrong use of pesticides on the advice of pesticide dealers. He suggested that only fertilizers recommended by the PAU should be used, and that, too, in recommended quantity. He also informed that kisan melas will be held on September 10 at Ballowal Saunkhri on September 12 at Rauni (Patiala) on September 19 at Bathinda and on September 25 at Gurdaspur.

About 15,000 copies of farm literature worth Rs 3 lakh were sold. Also, the seed sale touched Rs 35 lakh during the event. The results for stalls were also declared and Preet Tractor invited came first in tractors, combines and threshers sharp industries in machine tools and sprayers, IFFCO (Ludhiana) in fertilisers, Markfed in agro-processing, Falcon industries in home appliances and hand tools.

41 farmers honoured

After screening hundreds of entries for the best produce under different categories of pulses, flowers, fruits and vegetable crops, Punjab Agricultural University awarded prizes to 41 farmers here today.

The competitions were held for the production of lady’s finger, bitter gourd, brinjal, chilly, cucumber, radish, pear, papaya, guava, lemon, pomegranate, marigold, gladiolus, rose, maize, American cotton and moong.

Mr Lakhvir Singh from Ropar won the first prize for producing the best quality of lady’s finger, followed by Mr Balwinder Singh from Sangrur. Hailing from Bathinda, Mr Avtar Singh got the first prize for bitter gourd production, while Mr Gurmeet Singh Sohi from Ropar declared second. The latter also stood first for cucumber production.

Mr Chamkaur Singh from Sangrur stood first in producing the best quality of chillies, while Mr Tarunvir Singh, also from Sangrur, was declared second. Mr Kamaljit Singh from Bathinda won the first prize for producing the best quality of radish and Mr Gurvinder Singh from Hoshiarpur stood second. Mr Jagdeep Singh from Amritsar won prize for pear production, followed by Mr Bhajan Singh.

In papaya producing contest, Mr Parmjit Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib got first prize, while Mr Amarjit Singh from Patiala was declared second. For guava production, Mr Devinder Singh from Ropar and Mr Vikram Ahuja from Fazilka won prizes. In lemon production, Mr Sukhjinder from Ropar and Mr Raghu Raj Singh from Sangrur got prizes.

Among farmers engaged in floriculture, Mr Gurvinder Singh from Hoshiarpur stood first in marigold production, followed by Ramandeep Singh, also from Hoshiarpur. Both the farmers also clinched the top two prizes for gladiolus production as well. Both first and second prizes for rose production went to Dosanj Agricultural Farm at Nawanshahr. Farm owners were also honoured for producing the best maize crop. Among moong growers, Mr Manmohan Singh from Mansa got the first prize. For American cotton, Mr Karnail Singh from Ferozepore stood first.

The prizes were given by Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor. Dr G.S. Nanda, Director Research, and Dr J.S. Kolar, Director of Extension Education, were also present.

Pest attacks vegetables too
Deepkamal Kaur

Ludhiana, September 5
Pest attack on paddy, sugarcane, chillies and vegetables like the brinjal as well as lady’s finger has become a major cause of worry for the farmers, especially the Malwa belt of Punjab.

Many farmers who turned up at the Punjab Agricultural University kisan mela today were seen standing in queues near the ‘Plant Clinic’ stall where their queries were answered by experts. Hundreds of farmers had brought samples of destroyed plants. They held elaborate discussions with scientists on combating the pest menace.

Explaining the cause of the attack this year, Dr N.S. Buttar, in charge of the ‘Plant Clinic’ stall said there had been indiscriminate use of pesticides in previous years. Some pests had become resistant to the pesticides. He said excessive use of pyrethroids like karate, siper and alphamethion had increased the pest potency, making them unmanageable. He urged the farmers to shun pesticides.

The most common query among the farmers was regarding the attack of the Leaf folder on rice. Crop samples brought by farmers showed white streaks on leaves with shrivelled grain. Dr Buttar said in case the crop had matured, there was no need for any spray. For basmati, which was sown late, however, proper protection and spray was mandatory as the grains were yet in the developing stage.

The farmers were much worried at the white fly attack on crops like chilly, brinjal and lady’s finger. The scientists at the stall explained that the fly acted as a carrier of viruses that led to destruction of the crop. They advised the farmers to remain watchful and destroy plants with related symptoms such as curling of leaf in chilly and brinjal.

400 students take part in quiz
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 5
A quiz was organised by the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle for students of schools falling in Dugri area here today. As many as 400 students from 10 schools participated in the quiz, which was based on Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Thakkarwal village, won the Sardul Singh Sunder Trophy, while Guru Teg Bahadur Public School won the Mata Sitawanti Running Trophy. Other participants were from Guru Harkrishan Public School, Joseph School, New Era School, Guru Ram Dass School, Government School, Phullawal, Nankana Sahib Public School, Gill Park.

About 377 students from over eight schools started sehaj path as part of year-long celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Mr Amarjeet Singh, regional president, said prizes worth Rs 5 lakh would be given to the students who would be able to complete the path by September 1 next year.

Cultural festival at GNIMT
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 5
Expressions, a two-day intra-college festival, commenced at the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Model Town, here today. The function was part of the talent hunt drive in which freshers to various undergraduate and graduate courses were given a chance to present their creative skills. Various literary and fine arts events were held on the first day. In debate competition, the participants vied with each other on various thought-provoking topics.

Many students competed in extempore competition and exercised their oratory skills.

Punjabi folklore allures Europeans
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 5
International folk arties from various countries are keen on visiting India, said city-lecturer Davinder Singh Chhina, who met a number of artistes during his participation in at lest six international folklore festivals, including those in Bulgaria, South Korea and France, recently.

He led the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council’s folk dancers in concerts and folk processions during four international folklore feasts at Bulgaria and the International Folk Art festival, Incheon City, S. Korea. At the world folklore festival in France, Mr Chhina was the sole Indian representative.

He addressed folk artistes of various nations there to deliver the message of international peace and friendship.

“Punjab’s folk dances and music has made home in the hearts of Europeans and Koreans” he said. Bhangra, Gidha and jhoomer were the most popular.

Mr Chhina said the North Bulgarian Folklore Association had particularly shown interest to visit Punjab.