Taking a significant step towards sustainable agriculture, the Punjab State Food Commission, in collaboration with RE:Generating Punjab, launched the “Soil to Plate” initiative, aimed at restoring soil health and strengthening the agricultural system across the state. Chairing the event, Commission Chairman Shri Bal Mukand Sharma emphasized the need for a collective approach to tackle declining soil fertility, depleting groundwater, and environmental challenges. He inaugurated the seminar by inviting Ms. Sumit Sandhu (Delhi), Founder Steward, RE:Generating Punjab, to present the agenda.
The seminar saw participation from around 15 experts and selected farmers from Punjab, the USA, and the UK, who actively shared their views. Detailed discussions were held on organic farming, alternative crop cycles, vermicompost-based fertilizers, soil organic carbon, efficient water usage, food processing, and exports. The central theme remained aligned with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teaching: “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat.”
Participants included Sumit Sandhu (Delhi), Mukti Kumar (Jumple, England), Jyoti Sarup (Unnati Cooperative), Rajneesh Sharma (Expert in Vermicompost Fertilizer), Jatinder Kaur Arora (Former Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology), Ripandeep Singh (Assistant Director, Chandigarh University, Gharuan), Tarun Sen (Manager, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd.), N.S. Brar (Chairman, Pagro Frozen Foods Pvt. Ltd.), K.B. Singh (Director, PAMETI, PAU), Jaspreet Singh (Turmeric Producer), Chamkaur Singh (Moga), Gurmukh Singh (Batala), Dhaliwal Sahib (USA), Sarbjit Bajwa (Amritsar), Sh. Satt Singh Ji, and many other progressive farmers and scholars.
In addition, Commission Members Sardar Jasvir Singh Sekhon and Shri Chetan Prakash Dhaliwal were also present. They expressed satisfaction over the success of the seminar and appreciated the leadership of Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma.
Mukti Kumar (Carbon Savvy, UK) highlighted the importance of organic carbon in the soil, while Dr. Baljinder Singh Saini (Head of Tata Trusts Punjab) shared practical recommendations to improve soil quality. As part of this initiative, the formation of a “Think and Do Tank” was also announced, which will play an important role in accelerating the regeneration of Punjab’s agriculture.
In conclusion, Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma shared the key takeaways of the seminar and assured that all suggestions and concerns raised during the event would be brought to the attention of the Punjab Government. He also mentioned that the inspiration for this seminar came from Shri M.S. Aujla.