After flood devastation, Punjab farmers pin hopes on Kisan, Pashu Palan melas to aid in recovery

After pushing through weeks of devastation caused by relentless floods, farmers across the state are turning towards the upcoming Kisan Mela and Pashu Palan Mela with a renewed sense of purpose. Held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), these events are more than just agricultural and livestock exhibitions—they are beacons of resilience, revival and collective healing. Both the melas will he held on September 26-27 at the PAU campus.

For many, the melas represents a lifeline. It’s a place to explore new seed varieties, gain expert advice on soil rejuvenation and plan for the next cropping season. The spirit is unmistakable: Punjab’s farmers are down, but not defeated.

Gurbir Singh from Maachiwara, whose fields were submerged during the floods, shared, “My crop was ruined, but life doesn’t stop. I’m heading to the Kisan Mela to get wheat seeds and learn how to restore my soil. This is our chance to start again.”

Harinder Singh, a young farmer and gamer from Fazilka, echoed the sentiment. “It’s rightly said that farmers are the food bowl of the country—we can’t afford to sit idle. I lost everything in the last harvest, but I’ve gathered courage. I’ll be at the mela to buy seeds and seek guidance. The show must go on.”

The melas are expected to draw thousands, offering not just resources but emotional solidarity. Workshops on post-flood soil management, livestock care and climate-resilient farming are planned, alongside stalls showcasing innovations in agri-tech and veterinary sciences.

Baljit Kaur from Tarn Taran, who manages a small dairy farm, said, “I’m looking forward to the Pashu Palan Mela. My animals suffered during the floods, and I need expert help. But more than that, I want to meet others who’ve been through the same. We heal faster when we heal together.”

Even amid loss, the resolve remains strong. As another farmer put it, “Every time we sow a crop, we accept the challenge of nature. We may be devastated, but we haven’t lost hope. The Kisan and Pashu Palan melas are our way of saying—we’re still here and we’re ready.”

In the face of adversity, the state’s farmers are choosing action over despair. And as the melas approach, the fields may still be muddy, but the hearts are full of grit and hope.