Ludhiana: Kisan Mela Interrupted Due To Heavy Rains

A Two-day bi-yearly Kisan Mela was held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), focusing on ways to reduce farmers' expenditure, by making optimal use of water and fertilizers. However, this Mela got dismissed due to excessive rains which caused chaos and low footfall at the event.

The theme for this event was “Aao Kheti Kharch Kataiye, Vaadu Paani, Khaad Na Paiye” 

Punjab Agriculture University’s Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology noticed a rainfall of 4.0 mm being received in this region.  

Hailing storms and lashing rains, prevented visits of Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal as the chief guest of the event. Due to this, there was a delay in the inauguration. Meanwhile, Bikram Gill who is a prominent wheat breeder from Kansas State University in the US was welcomed as the chief gust further.

Several farmers have participated in and visited this Kisan Mela. Over 350 stalls were being set up at Kisan and Pashu Pakan Mela combined. Due to prevailing rainstorms, farmers were seen covering and protecting themselves from this brunt of unseasonal rainfall.

Shyam Singh who was an organizer of a food stall at PAU said “Due to heavy rains it caused dripping of rainwater through the tent ceiling, creating chaos and therefore unable to cook anything inside their stall. This has also led to impact their sales all over the day”.

Due to mud and soil being drenched with water, visitors were unable to walk properly.

PAU V- C also told that “It will be very beneficial to adopt crop diversification”.

Gill said that PAU is one of the renowned educational institutes with its immense contribution to the nation's food buffer. He advised farmers to make themselves more skillful and to pursue agricultural education at PAU.

Concerned with recent recurring problems, Gill also told me to use resources effectively and efficiently. The exploitation of resources like water could lead to water scarcity within the next 15 years.

He further advised “To 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; practice integrated farming system model and use solar energy. PAU-developed wheat variety PBW 826 has been released in Jammu and Kolkata and Punjab farmers must grow this variety”.

Five prosperous farmers were awarded for their known and effective work in agriculture and horticulture. Jatinder Singh from Munda village and Gurvinder Singh Sohi from Nanowal Khurd village received the CM award.

Jagdeep Singh and Dhandeep Singh prominent farmers from Punjab received the “Two CRI Pump Award”.Sukhdev Singh from Patiala district received the “Sardarni Prakash Kaur Sra Memorial Award”.

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