Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
PAU Kisan Mela kicks off: Dr. Gurdev Khush urges shift to water-wise farming for Punjab's future
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), March 21, 2025: Advocating economic stimulus and future security while combating unsurmountable agrarian challenges, a two-day Kisan Mela kicked off at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today amidst the active participation of scores of farmers from Punjab and adjoining states as well as US delegation of Professors and students.
Farmers thronged the mela to purchase the quality seed of kharif crops, planting material, biofertilizers, farm publications and home-made food products as well as clothing, visit live demonstrations and agro-industrial exhibition to keep themselves abreast of the latest farm technologies and interact with the scientists to resolve their technical agri-problems.
World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush, fondly known as the “Paddy Daddy” for his legendary work in rice improvement, inaugurated the mela. Lauding PAU’s varietal and machinery development efforts, he emphasized the urgent need to adopt PAU-recommended short-duration paddy varieties and avoid early sowing to preserve Punjab’s dwindling water table.
“We must keep groundwater sustainability at the forefront,” Dr. Khush cautioned, “if we want a long and prosperous agricultural future for Punjab.”
Presiding over the mela, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, described the mela as an international mela due to its online viewership crossing 50,000 this year.
He promoted the sowing of new rice variety PR 132, adoption of tar-wattar Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), use of modified combine with drill attached as prefix, obtaining of trainings for skill development, and subscription of PAU YouTube and facebook channels for knowledge upgradation.
Lamenting the decrease in cotton acreage from 7.5 lakh to less than 1 lakh, Dr Gosal called for increase in the cotton area in PunjabSharon Benes, Professor, California State University, USA, expressed concern over warmer weather, increased water supply, and groundwater depletion issues.
She disclosed that 2014 law enactment in California was set to conserve water resources by 2042 through the sustainable use of water. She also advocated sowing of non-water intensive crop varieties, and knowledge-exchange between PAU and California State University to address agriculture-related challenges.
Dr Gurreet Singh Brar, Professor, California State University, USA, introduced the US students, and urged for strengthening bilateral ties between Punjab and California through student-exchange academic programme. Voicing concern over worsening climate change and water crises, he called for making collective efforts for sustainable weather and water management.
Charanjit Singh Batth from Fresno, California, USA, made a call for fortifying education system through student-exchange programme between PAU and US-based universities.
Throwing light on research accomplishments, Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, disclosed the recommendation of new varieties, comprising PR 132 of parmal rice, PMH 17 of maize, Punjab Kangani of millet, Punjab Potato 103 and 104 of potato; French Bean 1 and 2 of French bean, Punjab Raspberry 1 and 2 of raspberry, Punjab Gladiolus 4 and 5 of gladiolus. and few varieties of orange carrot, cauliflower, chrysanthemum, etc. He specifically advised thetermers to avoid late sowing of PR 126 in order to avert moisture-related problems to the rice millers
Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, while welcoming the dignitaries, farmers youths and the farm women, called upon the agricultural community to go in for cost-cutting through the adoption of improved crop varieties and agricultural technologies, seek skll-related trainings from Krishi Vigyan Kendras of their respective districts, and visit the stalls of Self-Help Groups, which were promoting agri-businesses for financial growth
Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, proposed a vote of thanks. Dr TS Riar. Additional Director Communication, conducted the programme and advised the farmers to connect with PAU via social media.
At the mela, seven progressive farmers were feted for excellence in agriculture horticulture and allied occupations. Two farmers, namely Jaskaran Singh of village Kauni, tahsil Gidderbaha of district Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Amninder Singh of village Raidharana, district
Sangrur, were awarded "Chief Minister Awards" for carving a niche in horticulture. Additionally, Jalandhar-based Pawanjot Singh of village Dhogri and Sangrur-based Baljit Singh of village Kakra, were felicitated with "Chief Minister Award" and "Sardarni Prakash Kaur Sra Memorial Award for their unwavering devotion to crop production and subsidiary occupations. Gurdeep Singh of village Kot Fatuhi and Jasbir Singh of block Tanda, district Hoshiarpur, and Harpreet Kaur of village Manna, district Sangrur were conferred with "CRI Pumps Awards" for achieving strides in farm mechanization, water management and organic farming, respectively.
Five scientists including Dr Poonam A Sachdev, Dr Parwinder Singh, Dr Pankaj Rathore. Dr Maninder Singh Bons, and Dr Raminder Kaur were honoured for making outstanding contributions to the development of agriculture at large.
On the occasion, a crop calendar, academic session poster and a set of farm publications were released.
Present on the occasion were Dr Devinder Singh Cheema, Dr Ashok Kumar and Er Amarjit Singh, Members, PAU Board of Management, Mr Satnam Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest, Punjab, Mr MS Sidhu, Chairman, Punseed; and Dr Balmukund Sharma, former Managing Director, Punjab Markfed.