Krishi Vigyan Kender (KVK) Ropar on Tuesday organized Kisan mela regarding Crop Residue Management under the aegis of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and ICAR-ATARI, Zone-1, Ludhiana. Dr. Rajbir Singh Brar, Zonal Project Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-I graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr. G. P. S. Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU, Ludhiana was the Guest of honour. Dr. J.S. Samra, Sr. Advisor REP, CRRID, Chandigarh and Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh, Associate Dean, IIT Ropar were the special invitees. In his address, the Chief Guest of the event, Dr. Rajbir Singh Brar lauded the role of KVK in mobilizing the farmer masses for zero residue burning through adoption of CRM machinery. Dr. Brar also appealed farmers to come forward to take advantage of KVK machinery bank and other novel technologies for all inclusive growth of farming community without disturbing the delicate ecological balance.Dr. G. S. Makkar, Deputy Director (Trg.), KVK Ropar, while sharing the details informed that the Kisan Mela on Crop Residue Management was organized to generate awareness among masses regarding the novel environmental friendly alternatives for paddy residue management and to encourage them to shun paddy straw burning. He further informed that around 400 farmers, farm women, agriculture students and scientists/ experts attended and participated in this grand event. The exhibition stalls of more than 16 state agriculture allied departments (Soil and water Conservation, Horticulture, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Forestry and wild life preservation, RSETI-UCO bank, IFFCO, Punjab agro, etc.), private firms (Krishi Jagran, Bayer) apart from four FPOs, three SHGs and entrepreneurs of different agriculture based activities draw major attraction of the farmers and farm women.Dr. G.P.S. Sodhi addressed the farmers on issues of potential risks of paddy residue burning and made an appeal to carry out the CRM practices whole heartedly for the well-being of upcoming generations. Dr. Sodhi also suggested farmers to seek expert advice from KVKs in case of any queries or doubts. Dr. J.S. Samra suggested different novel ways for utilization of crop residue for combating the issue of paddy residue burning and motivated farmers to adopt those technologies. Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh acknowledged the efforts to PAU in combating the menace of environment pollution due to biomass burning and extended full support of IIT, Ropar in development of new Technologies. The scientists from PAU, Ludhiana, Dr. K.S. Suri (Principal Entomologist) and Dr. Manpreet Singh (Extension Scientist, FPM) shared valuable information with the farmers on insect-pest management and farm power machinery, respectively.The Chief Guest and other dignitaries also flagged-off the CRM machinery (happy seeder, zero drill, etc.) to the adopted villages of KVK Ropar for conducting In-Situ management of crop residue under CRM project. KVK Ropar also felicitated the Gram-panchayats of adopted villages for their contribution in developing model residue burning free villages. The sale of PAU seed and free distribution of vegetable seed kits, fruit plants and farm literature was the major attraction of the event. On this occasion, a Fishery demonstration unit at KVK Ropar was also inaugurated by Dr. Rajbir Singh Brar, Dr. G.P.S. Sodhi and other dignitaries. In the end, Dr. G.S. Makkar extended a vote of thanks to all dignitaries, allied departments, farmers, farm women, entrepreneurs, SHGs, FPOs, press and media for their whole hearted support and cooperation.