One of the most awaited farmer centric event of North, organized by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) took flight from 22 September and ended on 23 September in Ludhiana. All the big and small names involved in the agricultural sector were part of this unification. The companies attracted the farmers attention by displaying their high tech and efficient products. Companies like Sonalika, Mahindra, Lemken, KS group , MRF, Force etc were part of the fair and demonstrated their products, which the farmers enjoyed by trying their hands on. Talking with the executive of some companies, we got to know about the huge bookings and business they get from such farmer festivals.
Other than farm mechanization and demonstration stalls, which attracted abundant famer gathering were the different sections which were dedicated to various research work and studies in the various branch of agriculture like horticulture, soil sciences, apiculture, agriculture engineering etc. Most of the researches and studies were dedicated to the problems which are faced by the farmers in Punjab. Even if you missed your physical presence at the festival, Krishi Jagran would make its best to make the stalls alive to you by giving you an extensive and exclusive description of the same.
One of the very interesting stalls which caught our attention was the dynamics of climate change which affects the production of wheat in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent. We have read and heard of the climate change in terms of discrete rainfall, high temperature or unpredicted weather aberrations. Prabhjeet Kaur Sidhu, Professor at PAU explained us how different this study at PAU is, since its focused on the dynamics of humidity and temperature difference during the day and the night time. The bumper year 2011-2012 of wheat in northern region was compared with the 2015-2016 productivity. For wheat terminal heat stress is not good for the productivity of wheat, which was shown by the graphs by the temperature and humidity datas during the day and the night time.
Cotton is another major crop grown in Punjab. PAU recommended a variety of cotton developed by itself, which is resistant to Bollworm and is successful in Punjab area. The narrator at the stall told us that the American BT Cotton can be avoided at the farms and this variety of PAU’s BT can be successfully used at the farms without being infected by the pests.
Cluster of farmers were witnessed at the stall where New variety of Maize MH 10 was displayed which is high yielding variety of maize, sown in spring season and recommended to be sown in Punjab region. Alongwith MH10 there were numerous other maize varieties which were on display but varied in the terms of season to be sown in, duration of maturity, taste and sweetness depending on the temperature and moisture content in the air.
Soil department laid their emphasis on irrigation in a better way. Nutrient management is one of the most focused part in the crop production process. PAU has come up with a color chart which tells us about the need of nutrients in a crop depending upon the color of leaves of the crop. Color Leaf chart can be used for rice, maize and wheat. All that is needed to be done is match the color of the leaves with the color strip,if the color of the leaf is lighter, that signifies that more fertilizer is needed to the crop and if its darker, the crop should be left untreated for some time.
Sugarcane is a water intensive crop and PAU here suggested a way to reduce the intensity of water usage by treating the crop alternatively with canal water and saline water. This method is claimed to have reduced water usage and also better quality of sugarcane was derived.
Another farming model which caught our attention was the perfect management of the various branches of agriculture where the researchers combined crop production, apiculture, horticulture and dairy farming etc on 1 hectare of land which is average land holding size for small and marginal farmers. The model is business centric, so that the farmer is self sufficient and well to do adopting this model.
Many other dedicated research work was also demonstrated on food grains like pulses, maize, rice, wheat, tissue culture and apiculture, floriculture etc. Many other technological advancements were also put in display like M-KISAN by TATA Consultancy Services, which is a digital platform to connect the farmers with market and enhance their capability to be a better trader and business person. Overall, PAU organized the KISAN MELA in the perfect manner it was expected to be. It was in-line with the needs of farmers and the corporate world which drew out their needs and interests from the event.
