Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/Dec.3 : A five days vocational training programme on “Quality production of gur/shakkar” was recently organized by PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hoshiarpur at its campus.
During the inaugural session, Dr. Maninder Singh Bons, Associate Director (Training) welcomed the participants. He said that PAU, Ludhiana has planned a series of similar programmes, in this crushing season for the benefit of this traditional segment of agro-processing undertaken by the progressive farmers of sugarcane. He stressed upon following the recommended agronomic practices for sugarcane cultivation. He also told that Department of Processing and Food Engineering, PAU Ludhiana has been providing the trainings to the jaggery producers of the state.
Dr. Ajaib Singh, Assistant Professor (Agricultural Engineering), KVK Hoshiarpur explained processing of jaggery production and packaging. He gave practical demonstration of various instruments like Refractometer and pH meter for better jaggery processing and productivity. He told that the juice recovery from horizontal roller crusher was more as compared to vertical crusher. He advised the farmers that the cane should be crushed within 24 hours of its harvesting.
Two progressive jaggery farmers of the district i.e. S. Taranjit Singh Mann and S. Manmohan Singh Khalsa of village Bugra explained the various practical aspects regarding jaggery processing during the training.
An exposure visit to “Steam operated Jaggery Production Unit” at village Dhadha Kalan, district Hoshiarpur was also conducted during this vocational training programme.
