The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organised a regional kisan mela at its regional research centre on Thursday to educate farmers on adopting commercial farming other than the traditional practices. Presiding over the kisan mela, chief parliamentary secretary (agriculture) Gurbachan Singh Babbehali advised farmers to undertake subsidiary occupations of cultivation of mushroom, dairy, fish and bee farming and processing of agriculture products along with the routine cultivation of crops so as to supplement their income.

He asked them to grow vegetables and flowers besides doing manual labour in their fields, which would not only reduce the cost of farming but would also keep them healthy. Babbehali stressed upon strengthening the information system regarding the marketing of agricultural produce so that farmers can use the Amritsar international airport for exporting their produce. Babbehali advised them to shun intoxicants, which seriously affect their health.

Addressing farmers, PAU vice-chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon advised them to only sow seeds of crops recommended by PAU. He said only wheat crop, which was not recommended by PAU scientists, was affected by yellow rust disease this season. The PAU V-C asked farmers to grow pulses, vegetables and maize, which was the need of the hour. He advised them to read PAU literature on agriculture to enhance their knowledge and act as per the advice of farm scientists to earn more profit.

The PAU scientists answered questions of farmers and also spoke on latest technical knowhow during a technical session at the mela.