Ludhiana: Rain plays spoilsport; low turnout, chaos makes kisan mela a damp squib - Hindustan Times
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Ludhiana: Rain plays spoilsport; low turnout, chaos makes kisan mela a damp squib

ByDinkle Popli, Ludhiana
Mar 24, 2023 11:42 PM IST

According to the Punjab Agricultural University’s department of climate change & agricultural meteorology, the city received 4.0 mm rainfall on March 24 till mid noon

The two-day biannual kisan mela kicked off on Friday at the Punjab Agricultural University here with focus on reducing farm expenditure by making optimal use of water and fertilizers .

Visitors during the rain at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana on Friday. (HT photo)
Visitors during the rain at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana on Friday. (HT photo)

However, rains led to disappointment, chaos and a low footfall at the event.

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What added insult to the injury was the last minute cancellation of the visit of agriculture minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was the chief guest for the event which delayed the inauguration. Bikram Gill, a noted wheat breeder from Kansas State University in the US was then announced as the chief guest.

The event is being held on the theme of “aao kheti kharch kataiye, vaadu paani, khaad na paiye” (reduce farm expenditure by making optimal use of water and fertilizers).

According to the Punjab Agricultural University’s department of climate change & agricultural meteorology, the city received 4.0 mm rainfall on March 24 till mid noon.

Thousands of farmers were spotted strolling in groups with a thin plastic sheet barely covering their heads. Over 350 stalls put up at the kisan and pashu palan mela combined had to bear the brunt of unseasonal rain.

Shyam Singh, 42, organiser of a food stall at the PAU, who had come all the way from Mukstar Sahib said, “rain water dripping through the tent ceiling has created a huge mess for us as we are unable to cook anything inside our stall. Though we have covered all our edible materials, but delay in preparation will impact our sales throughout the day.”

Puddles and mud sludge made it hard for visitors to walk. According to the forecast by PAU’s met department, weather is expected to remain cloudy with possibility of thundershowers and gusty winds over Ludhiana and its adjoining areas during the next 24 hours.

“Adopt crop diversification,” says PAU V-C

Extolling PAU for its remarkable contribution to the nation’s food buffer and being a world-renowned agricultural institution, Gill urged the farmers to encourage their wards to pursue agricultural education at PAU.

He also warned the farmers against excessive use of water, which in the next 15 years can lead to water scarcity.

Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU vice-chancellor called on the farmers to adopt crop diversification by enhancing area under basmati and cotton for large-scale benefits.

“Avoid sowing summer moong where cotton is being planted; make judicious use of pesticides to avoid rejection of consignments; go in for in-situ paddy straw management; opt for drip irrigation in spring maize; practise integrated farming system model and use solar energy. PAU-developed wheat variety PBW 826 has been released in Jammu and Kolkata and that Punjab farmers must grow this variety,” he stressed.

Five progressive farmers honoured

Five progressive farmers were honoured for excellence in agriculture and horticulture.

Jatinder Singh, a resident of Munda village in Tarn Taran district, and Gurvinder Singh Sohi, a resident of Nanowal Khurd village in Fatehgarh Sahib district were conferred with the CM award.

Two ‘CRI Pump Awards’ were given to farmers, namely Jagdeep Singh, a resident of Sandhuan village of Rupnagar district and Dhandeep Singh, a resident of Kutbeywalan Gujran village, Ludhiana.

Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Miranpur village of Patiala district was awarded ‘Sardarni Prakash Kaur Sra Memorial Award.’

A long queue of farmers was seen purchasing fruit plants, flower seeds, biofertilizers, cereal and oilseed crops, vegetable seed kits, seedlings, and processed products such as multigrain atta, pickles, fruit squashes, ready to serve fruit juice, multigrain cookies and tomato products among others.

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