Diversification, efficiency, value addition needed, says expert at PAU

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 31

A two-day Research and Extension Specialists workshop on vegetables, floriculture and sericulture along with post-harvest management, farm power and machinery, food technology and agricultural economics was organised at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Officials of State Department of Horticulture; directors of Regional Research Stations; associate/deputy directors (Training) from Krishi Vigyan Kendras; district extension specialists (senior most) from Farm Advisory Services of Punjab; and faculty of the PAU participated in the workshop.

In his address, chief guest Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said the contemporary farm issues such as depleting water resources, deteriorating soil health, excessive use of farm inputs, nutritional problems, and weather disturbances need attention. He called for input use efficiency, diversifying cropping pattern, fortifying seed production programme, promoting value addition by setting-up agro-processing plants, and strengthening research and extension mechanism. Observing that kitchen garden holds immense significance, Dr Dhillon said if 12 lakh farmers grow vegetables in one kanal, 1.5 lakh hectares can be brought under diversification. Dr Gurkanwal Singh, Director of Horticulture, Punjab expressed concern over fluctuating market prices, and increasing role of middlemen in marketing of horticultural produce. He emphasised on managing the uncertainties and ensuring profitability to the farmers. He also stressed on focusing on value addition, minimising use of fertilizers, enhancing medicinal and nutritional value of crops, introducing vegetable machines to retain youth in farming, promoting joint marketing system and integrative income, and setting-up less expensive net-house infrastructures.

Dr RK Gumber, additional director, Research (Crop Improvement), highlighted findings of PAU’s research on vegetables and floriculture. He said PAU developed varieties namely Punjab Varkha Bahar 4 of tomato, Punjab Red Cherry of cherry tomato, CH-27 of chilli, MH-27 of muskmelon, Palam Samridhi of broccoli and RB-21 of radish are subject to approval of State Variety Approval Committee. Dr Gumber also highlighted production-protection technologies.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr HS Dhaliwal, dean, College of Agriculture, said the horticulture crops occupy an area of 2.03 lakh hectares in Punjab. He said, “Lack of good post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables results in Rs 40,000-50,000 crore loss in India every year.” He underlined the need for developing new post-harvest management techniques and establishing cold chain system to reduce losses.