Punjab Governer and Chancellor of PAU, Sh. V P Singh Badnore exhorted the Punjab farmers to lead the nation to curb the problem of stubble burning as they have did by conceptualizing Green Revolution to make the country self dependent in grain production. He said that Punjab farmers can become a role model for whole of the country by adopting mechanized disposal of stubble instead of setting it on fire.Inaugurating the Kisan Mela at PAU Regional Research Station at Ballowal-Saunkhari in Kandhi Area of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, he appreciated and congratulated the University for creating a befitting interface between farmers and the university, terming its best amongst all the agricultural universities of the country. While making a point towards maximizing profits by building strong farmer trader linkages, Governor Sh. Badnore urged the farmers to form Farmer- Producers’ Organization. He also motivated the farmers to curb unnecessary expenditure by adopting the practice of custom-hiring of agricultural equipment rather than purchasing the same. He appreciated the role of PAU and Punjab in bringing green revolution in the country. While expressing his delight at meeting the hard-working famers of Punjab, the governor urged the farmers of Punjab to be a role model in curbing the problem of stubble burning in the country.In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Punjab Agricultural University thanked the farmers and farm woman for supporting the Kisan Melas with exhilarating enthusiasm. He asserted, “We learn from Kisan Melas”; that inherently help us to reorient the research leanings of the university for the benefit of farmers.
He emphasized the theme of the Mela- ‘Manage Crop residue efficiently, Enhance soil fertility.’ He advised them to restrain from burning of paddy straw, in order to save our Mother Earth. Since, we are largely utilizing the resources of the land, it is also our utmost duty to preserve and conserve its resources for the benefit of our future generations. He also recommended the use of the happy seeder and Super SMS, as a suitable alternative to stubble burning. Dr Dhillon urged the farmers to indulge in supplementary incomes along with farming to increase their profit. He also stressed upon the need for cooperative use of machinery and supportive marketing strategies for obtaining optimum output from the produce.Earlier, Dr D S Brar, Member Board of Management, PAU stressed upon the need to save environment by frugal use of pesticides; restrain from stubble burning; and by diversification of resource generation. He also urged the farmers to keep a correct record of their income and profit. This will help in better management of resources and augment the profit of farmers.Sh Darshal Lal Mangupur, MLA Ballachaur; Sh. Vinay Bublani, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, SSP Deepak Hillori, Dr D S Brar, Member, Board of Management PAU Ludhiana, Dr J S Mahal, Director Extension, Director Research PAU Dr. Navtej Singh Bains, Station Director Ballowal-Saunkhari Dr. Manmohanjit Singh along with officials of the university were also present on the occasion.The Mela witnessed a huge mélange of farmers and farm women, who thronged the venue with much enthusiasm and fervor. With 104 stalls highlighting the new varieties and machinery advocated by the university, the Mela successfully established a strong interface with the farmers of the region.