2-day Kisan Mela to educate farmers on agro- processing

Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is getting ready for the two-day Kisan Mela beginning on March 15. Field functionaries at the mela will talk at length about recent farm practices and technology, suggesting suitable solutions to problems being faced by farmers, specially the lack of marketing skills.
The mela will be inaugurated at 11am at the Kisan Mela grounds in PAU, which will be followed by visits to field demonstrations, and presentation of awards at the main pandal. The prize distribution function will be held on March 16, the concluding day.

PAU vice-chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon told TOI: “This year, the mela will focus on agro-processing, so as to increase profits for farmers. When we talk about profit, we mean profit, not merely income. Farmers should opt for allied occupations like apiculture (bee-keeping) and piggery to broaden their sources of income. We appreciate the efforts of farmers in managing paddy straw, and also exhort them to go for early maturing varieties of rice to save water.”

JS Mahal, director of Extension Education, PAU, said: “Kisan Mela also provides an opportunity to gather feedback from farmers, which further helps reprioritise research programmes. The farmer of Punjab has to go to the next phase, with agro-processing and infusing an industrial base into agriculture. Horticulture, and fruits and vegetables have a bright future. If prices crash due to more production, farmers should opt for processing.”

Mahal added: “PAU is not just thinking about more production, but also the quality of post-harvesting and mechanisation. Marketing skills taught by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are going to double the income of farmers if they opt for agro-processing, besides growing wheat and rice. Farmers should participate in the Kisan Mela to learn about newly developed crop varieties, their production and protection technologies in order to get maximum benefit in terms of productivity and profitability. Pusa 1718 (a disease resistant variety of rice) and PMH11 (a maize hybrid with bright attractive texture) will be there for sale.”

Apart from this, four progressive farmers will be honoured on the last day for excellence in agriculture and allied occupations.

PARKING OF VEHICLES

Due to the ongoing construction of a flyover on Ferozepur Road, entry of vehicles from Gate 1 and 2 is prohibited, and these gates will remain closed for vehicular traffic so as to avoid tariff jam and inconvenience to the public in general.

PAU estate officer Dr Vishvajit Singh Hans said: “To facilitate the entry of four-wheelers coming to the university for Kisan Mela, Gate 8 and 5 will be used. For heavy vehicles such as buses, entry will be given from Gate 8 only. The exit of all vehicles will be through Gate 8 only.”