'Farmers' Fair' Organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tarn Taran

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tarn Taran under Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) organized farmers' fair with the theme ‘Conservation Agriculture and Nutritional Security’ at Armaan Haveli, Harike Pattan, district Tarn Taran. Around 800 farmers along with college students and farm women took part in the event. The programme was inaugurated by Dr Rajbir Singh Brar, Director ICAR-ATARI Zone-1, PAU, Ludhiana and Dr. Harish Kumar Verma, Director, Extension Education, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana.

Dr. Balwinder Kumar, Deputy Director (Training), KVK, Booh, Tarn Taran extended a warm welcome to the entrepreneurs, scientists and farm community. The technical session was chaired by Dr. Rajbir Singh Brar, Director, ICAR-ATARI-Zone-I, Ludhiana and Dr HK Verma, DEE, GADVASU, Ludhiana. Panel of experts from different international and national organizations viz. Istanbul Turkey, Sabanci University, International Zinc Association, World Iodine Association, GADVASU, PAU, Ludhiana etc. exchanged their research views with the farmers. The initial session was initiated with imparting awareness on adverse aftermaths of rice stubble burning.

Director of Extension Education GADVASU, Dr HK Verma highlighted the importance of paddy straw as livestock feed, bedding material and other uses besides importance of micro nutrients in the diet of livestock. KVK scientist underlined the beneficial effects of residue incorporation on soil properties including increase in organic matter levels and the population of agriculturally beneficial soil microbes. 

Besides this farmers were also motivated for in-situ crop residue management by adopting different agricultural technologies i.e. use of Happy Seeder, mulcher and MB plough and so on. Moreover, proceeding to second technical session, Dr. Ismail Cakmak, Professor from Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey shared his research findings and skills to enhance zinc content in diverse number of crops such as wheat, cotton and apple with proper selection of soluble fertilizer. Various methods to check heat stress or impact of temperature on crop foliage and other parts were also explained to them. Dr. Katja Hora from World Iodine Association, Belgium highlighted the importance of iodine in human health, its deficiency and measures for nutritional security. Dr. Hari Ram, Senior Agronomist from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana enlightened the farmers with new varieties of zinc enriched wheat sown in Punjab along with appropriate application techniques of zinc fertilizer.

Dr. Soumitra Das from International Zinc Association talked about Zn in Indian soils and its amelioration. Literature depicting resource conservation technology in agriculture, role of zinc in human health and Zinc rich foods in regional language were also released during the event.  Dr. Rajbir Singh Brar congratulated the farmers of two villages - Booh Havelian and Jauneke for zero crop residue burning after paddy harvesting as per the guidance provided by KVK, Tarn Taran. He applauded the work and services of KVK Tarn Taran and GADVASU for providing technical knowhow related to agriculture and livestock to the farmers.