PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hoshiarpur organizes

Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/Oct.18 : PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hoshiarpur under the aegis of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and ICAR-ATARI, Zone-1, PAU Campus recently organized a Kisan Mela on paddy residue management at its campus which saw the participation of large number of farmers and farmwomen from the different villages of the district.
Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur, Dr. Ishank Kumar, graced the occasion as chief guest while Dr. Manmohanjit Singh, Dean, College of Agriculture and Director, Regional Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhari, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar graced the occasion as special guest.
Dr. Depinder Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Hoshiarpur, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Director, Regional Research and Training Centre, Talwara, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Kataria, Associate Director (Training), KVK Jalandhar, Dr. Charanjeet Kaur, Principal Extension Scientist (Agronomy), Farm Advisory Service Centre, Gangian, Dr. Sumanjit Kaur, Incharge, Fruit Research Station, Gangian, and Sh. Hardeep Singh, Sarpanch, village Bahowal were also present during this occasion.
In his presidential address, Dr. Ishank Kumar highlighted the farmer centric approach of the Govt. of Punjab and reminded about the important achievement of increase in availability of canal water for irrigation to the farmers of the state from 26 % in 2022 to 80% in 2026. He also said that all efforts have been made for easy procurement of paddy crop in the mandis. Dr. Ishank sensitized the farmers regarding the effective utilization of natural resources and efficient management of crop residue for sustainable agriculture and safeguarding the environment. He also praised the different extension activities conducted by KVK, Hoshiarpur for the farming community of the district. Dr. Ishank further said that the farmers should avail the services of KVK for vocational trainings to startup new ventures, for updating latest technological interventions for agriculture and for quality seed material.
While addressing the farmers, Dr. Manmohanjit Singh emphasized on the importance of processing and value addition of farm produce for augmenting farm income. He also exhorted the farmers to adopt subsidiary occupations and to curtail the input cost in farming for more profitability of farm income. Dr. Manmohanjit gave an overview of excellent facilities in this region’s College of Agriculture at Ballowal Saunkhri and said that more number of farmer children should avail the opportunity of taking admission in this college as 10% seats have been reserved for wards of kandi region farmers.
Dr. Maninder Singh Bons, Associate Director (Training), KVK Hoshiarpur discussed about various activities being conducted by KVK Hoshiarpur for the welfare of the farming community. He informed that as in previous years, KVK Hoshiarpur is organizing an extensive campaign for managing paddy residue through awareness camps and trainings. He also said that KVK is also provided machinery for paddy residue management to the farmers for use at nominal charges. Dr. Bons praised the farmers of the district for their important role in this campaign and complimented them for their sincere efforts which led to the reduction of paddy straw burning incidents by more than 35 percent last year.
Dr. Depinder Singh said that management of paddy residue is the need of the hour and informed that under the able leadership of the district administration, all departments were on their toes for ensuring paddy residue management.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Kataria formally welcomed the dignitaries and the farmers. He also stressed upon the farmers to incorporate the paddy residue into the soil, which would improve the soil health and was ecofriendly technology.
On this occasion, various technical lectures were organized for the benefit of the farmers/farmwomen. Dr. Charanjeet Kaur, Principal Extension Scientist (Agronomy) and Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Senior Extension Scientist (Entomology) from Farm Advisory Service Centre, Gangian shed light on improved cultivation and plant protection practices for rabi crops, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Director, Regional Research and Training Centre, Talwara discussed about management of dairy animals while Dr. Sumanjit Kaur, Incharge, Fruit Research Station, Gangian and Dr. Karmvir Singh Garcha, Assistant Professor (Vegetable Science), KVK Hoshiarpur shared important tips on improved cultivation practices of fruit and vegetable crops.
To motivate the farmers for adopting residue management technologies, the villages adopted for in-situ paddy residue management during 2025-26 by KVK Hoshiarpur- village Moranwali (block Garhshankar), village Kharaudi (block Mahilpur), village Bhilowal (Hoshiarpur-II) and village Nathupur (block Tanda) and various progressive farmers & farmwomen of the district were honoured by the dignitaries on this occasion for commendable work in paddy residue management, adoption and excellence in crop diversification, subsidiary occupations & resource conservation technologies.
On this occasion, Dr. Parminder Singh, Associate Professor (Animal Science) and Sh. Rajinder Singh, Senior Scale Stenographer, KVK Hoshiarpur and Dr. Karnail Singh, retired Veterinary Officer from Department of Animal Husbandry, Hoshiarpur were also felicitated for excellent conduct of their duties.
Students of Gursewa Group of Colleges, Panam, Garhshankar organized a medical checkup camp on this occasion and also performed cultural item, giddha, while students of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur performed Bhangra item.
An impressive exhibition of technological interventions in agriculture and paddy residue management technologies and machinery was organized by KVK and other line departments. Various Self Help Groups, entrepreneurs, machinery manufacturers and private companies also exhibited their products for display and sale.
Seeds of rabi crops- wheat, gobhi sarson and onion, pulse and oilseed kits, winter vegetable seed kits, fodder kits, fruit plants, mineral mixture, uromin licks and technical literature were made available for sale purposes for the benefit of the farmers on this occasion.