2-day Kisan Mela begins with call to diversify cropping pattern

The two-day Kisan Mela kicked off at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. The mela witnessed enthusiasm and saw a massive and energetic participation of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir as well as Karnataka.

The mela, celebrating the theme, “Kudarati Somey Bachao, Sab Laiye Khushali liyao,” made a call for conservation of natural resources, especially water, soil and air. The mela was inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian.

The Seed Sale Centre and stalls, 350 in all, put up at the mela, were jam-packed for the purchase of quality seeds of rabi crops, planting material of horticultural crops and PAU farm publications. Farm women, accompanied by their children, went in for domestic shopping, including food products, beverages and clothing while farmers’ discussions with experts as well as their keen eye for live demonstrations of new technologies in agriculture remained a highlight of the day.

Addressing the mela, Khuddian said, “Punjab will be happy only if its zamindars (farmers) are prosperous. This mela is a place which should be worshipped by the farmers as it caters to their needs concerning seeds and knowledge enhancement.”

In view of the depleting groundwater table resulting in water scarcity, it was important to shift to crops that guzzle less water, the minister urged the farmers. He revealed that Rs 500 crore has been allocated by the Central and state governments for paddy straw management this year in comparison to Rs 350 crore last year. He appealed to the farmers to shun stubble burning and adopt paddy straw management technologies for a pollution-free environment and community welfare.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, called upon farmers to diversify their cropping pattern by cultivating PBW 826 variety of wheat which has spread its wings from Jammu to Kolkata; PBG 10 of chickpea for export purposes; GSC 7 of gobhi sarson to compete with Canada-based canola oil; TL 17 of toria; BL 42 of berseem; and other alternate crops.

Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, while welcoming the dignitaries and the farming community, urged the farmers to visit the stalls for getting on-the-spot solutions to their farm-related issues. He warned the farmers against the use of water-intensive paddy varieties which if not stopped now, could turn Punjab into a ‘desert’ in the next 15-20 years.

Meanwhile, six progressive farmers and a farm woman were rewarded for exhibiting excellence in agriculture, horticulture and entrepreneurship. Karnail Singh of village Bassi Gulam Hussain, Hoshiarpur and Gurpreet Singh of village Tharajwala, Sri Muktsar Sahib, were conferred with “Sardar Surjit Singh Dhillon Awards” for promoting crop diversification through vegetable cultivation. Bal Krishan of village Bhulan, Sangrur, was feted with “Sardar Dalip Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Award” for scaling heights in 30-year farming, whereas Mohandeep Singh of village Hayatpura, tehsil Samrala, Ludhiana, was awarded “Sardar Ujjagar Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Award” for being devoted to vegetable production. Devinder Singh of village Ram Tatwali, Hoshiarpur, was honoured with “Parwasi Bharti Award” for practicing agriculture using scientific methods. A farm woman Kulwinder Kaur of village Kath Mathi, Patiala, received “Sardarni Jagbir Kaur Grewal Memorial Award” for being a successful entrepreneur.

Five PAU scientists, namely, Dr GK Sikka, Dr BS Sekhon, Dr GS Manes, Dr Mandeep Singh and Dr Karamjit Sharma were also felicitated for making tremendous contributions to agricultural research and extension.

Besides, a farm worker, Jasvir Singh, from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Samrala, was awarded an “Appreciation Certificate” for large-scale seed distribution among the farming community. Deepak Bhatia from Communication Centre and RGR Cell was feted for promoting farm literature. In addition, Dhan Dhan Baba Sant Khalsa Ji Sewa Society of village Dubali, Tarn Taran was honoured with “Bhai Babu Singh Brar Best Pond Award” for upkeep of the pond, resulting in water conservation and environmental protection. The PAU VC felicitated the Punjab Agriculture Minister on the occasion. Later, two special guests including Dr David Moore, an agricultural expert from Ireland and Dr K Veeranjaneyulu, Librarian, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, were also honoured.

Free health check-up camp

The NSS cell, under the Directorate of Students Welfare at the PAU, Ludhiana, organised a free health check-up camp to screen for blood pressure and blood sugar —- the silent killers, during the Kisan Mela. The initiative, part of the ‘Mission Swasth Kavach’ programme, was held in collaboration with the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana. Dr Bishav Mohan, project coordinator, emphasised the importance of regular health check-ups, citing that 40 per cent of the individuals are diagnosed with high blood pressure and blood sugar for the first time during such screenings.