Farmers rejoice as two-day kisan, pashu palan melas kick off in Ludhiana

Farmers were brimming with enthusiasm as the two-day kisan and pashu palan melas kicked off on Friday at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University here, respectively.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the Kisan Mela and state Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian opened the Pashu Palan Mela.

Both the events opened on an upbeat note, beating the rain threat sounded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Farmers, who arrived at the both the events under cloudy skies, were greeted by a cool breeze and enthusiastic organisers.

At the PAU, farmers bought improved kharif seeds, planting material, bio-fertilisers and publications; saw live field demonstrations; consulted experts on agricultural issues; learnt household management techniques; and shopped for food products and clothing crafted by PAU-trained self-help groups (SHG).

The main attraction of the Kisan Mela were the eatery stalls offering traditional snacks, being cooked using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and traditional chulhas, or earthen stoves. The attendees savoured and relished the dishes. The mela, promoting adoption of crop diversification for environmental protection, also included a cultural programme that enchanted the audience.

After inaugurating the mela, CM Mann said, “Punjab has always been at the top, be it in the national anthem or serving langar or society at various places.” He exhorted farmers not to make agriculture a secondary profession and urged them to keep it a priority so that the state can hold its head high.

CM Mann expressed gratitude to GS Khush, a World Food Prize Laureate known as the ‘Father of Rice Revolution’, and said a research centre will come up in his name.

Khuddian, guest of honour at the Kisan Mela, called for water conservation to make the state green again.

Presiding over the event, Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, made a call for tackling ‘imperative concerns’ of water table depletion, climate change, stubble burning and sliding farm income through crop diversification.

MS Bhullar, director of Extension Education, called upon the farmers to visit the stalls, adopt PAU-developed crop varieties and agricultural technologies, and participate in skill trainings conducted by the PAU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) across the state.

Minister urges farmers to set up livestock ventures

At veterinary university’s Pashu Palan Mela, Khuddian toured the stalls and showed keen interest in getting information about livestock species. He said the state government is implementing various schemes for the welfare of the farming community and encouraged farmers to establish their own livestock ventures for better income.

JPS Gill, Vice-Chancellor, veterinary university, said the event’s theme is “Livestock Farming: Local Strength to Global Standards”.

The Pashu Palan Mela featured demonstrations of high-quality germplasm, including cows, buffaloes, goats and poultry. Germplasm refers to genetic resources, such as seeds, tissues and DNA sequences, maintained for animal and plant breeding.

Experts delivered talks on livestock, poultry and fisheries’ management, along with providing solutions to common challenges faced by farmers and breeders.

Various livestock farming models and treatment awareness exhibits were displayed, and live demonstrations included the use of milk testing kits, mastitis diagnosis kits, teat dipping practices and acaricide applications.

The College of Fisheries displayed carp and ornamental fish species, along with demonstrations of azolla and duckweed cultivation, and integrated fish farming systems.

Farmers took great interest in saline water fisheries. The college demonstrated ornamental fish rocky-planted garden pool for nature lovers, especially to engage youngsters.

Cost-effective and nutrient-rich fertiliser sticks for potted ornamental plants, prepared with aquatic plants, were also launched. After insertion in the pot soil, the stick releases nutrients for more than 60 days.

The College of Dairy and Food Science Technology introduced handmade goat milk soap, and a new premium packaging of goat cheese and mozerella cheese. A game of Ludo for raising awareness on clean milk was launched during the event.

The Department of Livestock Products Technology introduced two innovative products, ‘Core-3 Energy Delight’ and ‘G-E-M balls’. These products have been developed with unique combination of egg, milk and millet with high protein and fibre content.

The Animal Nutrition Department attracted a large number of farmers to its stall selling area-specific mineral mixtures, pig mineral mixtures, bypass fat and uromin lick at affordable prices.