PAMETI introduces diploma in agriculture extension services

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 16

One-year diploma in agricultural extension services for input dealers (DAESI) was inaugurated by Dr JS Bains, Director, Agriculture, Punjab, at the Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI), PAU, Ludhiana.

Dr Rajbir Brar, Director, ATARI, Dr DS Bhatti, Additional Director Extension, PAU, and Paramjit Singh, Deputy Registrar, Department of Cooperation, Ludhiana, also graced the occasion.

Dr HS Dhaliwal, Director, PAMETI, welcomed the chief guest Dr Bains, who shared with the gathering the objectives of one-year diploma. He requested all the participants who enrolled for the diploma, to discuss the practical problems with experts concerned during different sessions, so that right information can be disseminated.

Rupinder Kaur, Deputy Director-HRM, PAMETI, said agri-input dealers are a primary source of information to farming community, besides the supply of inputs. However, majority of the dealers do not have formal agricultural education. Therefore, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Ministry of Agri and Farmers’ Welfare, has launched a diploma which will help dealers in building technical competency and facilitate them to serve farmers better.

Dr RK Kalra (former HoD, extension education, PAU), facilitator for DAESI programme said overwhelming response has been received from the Department of Cooperation, Ludhiana, and a large number of staff from the Cooperative Societies have registered for the programme, which will ultimately benefit farmers.

She said the technical information will be delivered through contact classes and field visits by agricultural experts and practitioners on Sundays or market holidays for 48 days in a year.