Punjab Agriculture Minister Tota Singh today urged the farmers to restrict themselves from burning of paddy straw as it causes several health related problems. He also asked the companies manufacturing farm machinery in developing technology that helps in checking burning of paddy straw.The minister said this while interacting with the farmers after inaugurating the two-day Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University, here today.Showing concern regarding this problem, Mr Tota Singh said, "It is sad that the farmers don't restrict themselves from burning of paddy straw despite repeated appeals by the state government. We would be holding a high-level meeting with the representatives of companies manufacturing farm machinery on September 17, in which we would discuss ways through which this problem could be checked," said the minister.Sh. Suresh Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Development), and Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Punjab was the Guest of Honour while Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, PAU Vice-Chancellor, presided over the inaugural session. The theme of the mela is “Khalas sudre beej apnao, Kharche ghatao, munafa vadhao (Use improved seed, reduce cost and enhance profit).
In his address, Mr Tota Singh stated, ‘If Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has contributed enormously to the nation as well as the state, farmers of the Punjab have also equally played a prominent role in wiping out food deficiency and making the country self-sufficient in food grains.” S. Singh expressed concern over the rising prices and expenses on the use of farm inputs and to meet the domestic needs. He highlighted that Punjab Government is providing new farm subsidies and farmers should avail full benefit from these subsidies. He prayed to the almighty, “The heavy rain may not damage the crop of the farmers.” In his presidential remarks, Dr Dhillon said that mela is highly important event for disseminating recent farm technologies and latest agri-knowledge among the farmers. Recently, PAU has released new varieties including WH 1105 and PBW 660 of wheat, PMH 8 and PMH 9 of maize, PBR 357 of raya, PBG 7 of desi gram, and OL 10 of oats, he said. Dr Dhillon said that the tech-savvy era has enabled PAU to spread its wings in various parts of the state and fortify relationship with farming community.
Earlier, Dr H.S. Dhaliwal, Director of Extension Education, welcomed the dignitaries and the farmers. “This year, mela aims at conveying message to the farmers, through its theme, to make use of improved seeds to reduce expenditure and enhance profit,” he said. He called upon the farmers to remain in touch with the PAU experts and follow their recommendations from time to time. “Avoid sowing unrecommended varieties,” he stressed on the farmers. Dr Dhaliwal said that the Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Scheme across the state are always in the service of the farmers.On the occasion, four progressive farmers of Punjab were honoured. They are Mr Hardeep Singh of village Karmuwala, district Ferozepur with “Sardar Dalip Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Award 2014,” Mr Nirbhay Singh Sidhu of village Sema, district Bathinda with the “Parwasi Bharti Award 2014,” Mr Jaswant Singh of village Rode Jalewala, district Ferozepur with “Sardar Surjit Singh Dhillon Award 2014” and Ms Gurdeep Kaur of Nabha tehsil, district Patiala with “State Awardee Sardarni Jagbir Kaur Grewal Memorial Innovative Woman Farmer Award 2014.” The members of the PAU Board of Management namely Mr H.S. Riar and Mrs Karamjit Kaur Danewalia were present on the occasion.