Tarn Taran diary

KVK leading outreach initiative to transform agriculture landscape

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Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Booh (Tarn Taran), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, is leading a far-reaching outreach initiative under the flagship campaign, “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan”, with the objective of transforming the agricultural landscape of the region through direct engagement with farming communities. Under the move launched in the district, teams of specialists have been mobilised to cover several villages across the district. The teams consist of agricultural scientists from KVK and officials from the State Agriculture Department. They are working in collaboration to bridge the persistent gap between scientific advancements in agriculture and the practical needs of farmers on the ground. The initiative is being coordinated at the district level by Dr Prabjeet Singh, Deputy Director of KVK, Booh, who emphasised the campaign’s focus on enhancing farmers’ access to modern, evidence-based agricultural practices tailored to local conditions. Under the move, special stress is being laid on soil health, declining water table, climate variability and crop management. The programme aims to boost both productivity and profitability in a sustainable manner. During the outreach visits, the teams of experts are actively engaging with farmers through on-site demonstrations, discussions and personalised advisory sessions covering a wide range of topics including innovative cultivation techniques, integrated pest and nutrient management in Kharif crops, climate-resilient strategies, care and management of livestock and sustainable fish farming. A large number of farmers have responded, appreciating the timely guidance, scientific insights and hands-on support provided by the teams. The campaign is not only fostering stronger collaboration between farmers and scientists but also instilling greater confidence in adopting progressive, sustainable farming methods. The initiative, Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, is playing a pivotal role in empowering the rural farming community of Tarn Taran and steering the region towards a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future.

People willing to join campaign against drugs

The residents of the area have been coming forward against the threat of drugs, inspired by the state government’s campaign against the menace. Jagtar Singh, a resident of Sidhwan village in Bhikhiwind sub-division of the border area, has offered his services in leading the police to the locations where the drug traders sell Chitta (heroin). He is the leader of an organisation, ‘Nasha Virodhi Mission—-Kafan Bol Pia’, that works to raise awareness among the people against drugs. Jagtar Singh has no hesitation in saying that he has two sons and both are addicts. He said he is aware of the places from where his sons procure heroin. He claims that he has visited the Bhikhiwind police station, to appeal to police officials to act against the drug traders, who were spoiling the lives of the youths. He said that when the Bhikhiwind police refused to act against the drug peddlers, he went to the District Administrative Complex on Tuesday and staged a day-long dharna but no one paid heed to him.

Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Chabal village and an environmentalist, said that he has made viral a set of three video films when he procured heroin (Chitta) at the rate of Rs 200 per packet. He said that the said location is Gali Khusrian Wali, Chabal, where drug is sold round the clock but there is no one to check it.

School of Eminence affairs worry educationists

Dalbir Singh Deol, a retired principal from a Government Senior Secondary, and 11 councillors of the Municipal Council, Tarn Taran, have highlighted the state of affairs at the School of Eminence, Tarn Taran. They have informed that the school where students from nearly 15 villages come for higher studies lacks sufficient teaching and non-teaching staff which is badly affecting the normal working of the prestigious educational institution. They have written a letter to the Chief Principal Secretary, Government of Punjab, with copies to the Chief Minister and Education Minister that out of the total 68 posts of teaching and non-teaching staff, there are 23 posts lying vacant which include the post of the principal. They said more worrying is the fact that eight posts of lecturers in different subjects, including two posts each of Physics (2) and Hindi (2), were lying vacant. Dalbir Singh Deol said that they have brought the matter to the notice of the district authorities many a time but have not received any response.