Agri varsity VC visits flood-hit dists, assures support to farmers

Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Ludhiana, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, visited the flood-hit districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur to assess the extensive damage caused by incessant rains and overflowing waters.

He was accompanied by Dr Makhan Singh Bhullar, Director of Extension Education and a team of soil science experts.

The floods have ravaged large tracts of paddy, sugarcane and vegetable fields, leaving farmers in deep distress. To evaluate the impact on soil health, PAU scientists collected samples from submerged fields. These will be analysed to determine nutrient depletion, mineral deposits and fertility levels after the flooding.

The team toured 20 sites, spanning several villages, including Ajnala, Ramdas, Ghonewala, Kot Gurbaksh and Machhiwala in Amritsar, as well as Rattar Chattar, Gola Dhola, Baryar, Nabi Nagar, Kalanaur and Qadian Gujjran in Gurdaspur.

Fine to medium sand deposition was noticed in the vicinity of the river bed, while farther areas had silt and clay deposits.

Dr Gosal assured the farmers that PAU would extend full technical support and timely advisories to mitigate losses and prepare for the upcoming sowing season. He urged adoption of climate-resilient farming systems and noted that PAU’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) had already initiated contingency measures. These include rehabilitating damaged fields, restoring soil productivity and equipping farmers for the Rabi crop cycle. Dr Bhullar underlined that the PAU’s KVKs, along with Farm Advisory Service Centres (FASCs), will intensify outreach to provide region-specific recommendations.

The visit was facilitated by Gurbinder Singh Bajwa and his team from the Young Innovative Farmers’ Group, who actively engaged in discussions on immediate recovery strategies and Rabi sowing plans.

Farmers expressed relief that the university leadership had acknowledged their plight on the ground.