Progressive farmers to be honoured at PAU Kisan Mela

Ludhiana: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Kisan Mela, set to begin on Friday, will honour progressive farmers for their exemplary contributions to modern agriculture, organic farming, horticulture, and allied sectors. These awards will be presented during the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Kharif Kisan Mela' as part of PAU's ongoing commitment to encouraging scientific farming practices.
Dr Makhkan Singh Bhullar, director of extension education, PAU, stated that the university recognized innovative and environmentally sustainable farming efforts through such awards. "The objective of this initiative is to motivate more farmers to adopt scientific techniques and contribute towards sustainable agricultural growth," he added. Dr. Tejinder Singh Riar, additional director of communication, PAU, elaborated on the awards, highlighting the remarkable achievements of selected farmers across different farming domains.
Gurdeep Singh from Kot Fatuhi, block Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur, will receive the award for ‘Innovative mechanized farming'. He has been adopting modern agricultural machinery effectively. With over 15 years of experience, he owns nine acres and manages an additional 55 acres on lease. "I have been keen to adopt new technology. I started using the paddy trans-planter that was introduced three years ago and have been using advanced bailer machines," he said, adding, "With time, one has to change and my advice to the farmer brotherhood is to try to adopt new technology and gain technical know how to repair the machines on their own as well. I have seen that farmers do purchase, but after a fault, these become useless for want of repair that leads to crucial loss of time during the critical sowing or reapting time," he added.
Jasbir Singh, a 71-year-old farmer from block Tanda in Hoshiarpur, will be recognized with the award for ‘Water management innovation' for his efficient and minimal use of water for farming. With over five decades of farming experience, he efficiently manages 12 acres of farmland, incorporating scientific water conservation techniques. He said the credit for efficient water management also goes to his son, who observed the water management techniques in Kuwait and Austria and implemented these at their farms. "After my son Paramvir Singh returned from abroad, we tried to emulate the irrigation systems with rain gun pipes, which has been helpful in reducing the use of water by at least 66% in growing paddy when compared to the flood irrigation system. The system also helps reduce the use of weedicides. We have also been recycling our dairy waste well for use in agriculture."
Harpreet Kaur of Manna village in Sangrur will be honoured with the award for ‘Excellence in organic farming'. She began with three acres of organic cultivation in 2021 and has undergone extensive training in sustainable farming techniques from Punjab Agro Barnala, the Natural Farmers Association, and KVK Sangrur. She currently serves as vice-president of the PAU organic farmers' club.
Two farmers have been selected for the Chief Minister's Award for horticulture excellence. Jaskaran Singh, a progressive horticulturist from Kauni village, Gidderbaha in Sri Muktsar Sahib, will be honoured for his specialization in strawberry cultivation. Having cultivated 15 acres for over 32 years, he has successfully commercialized scientific berry farming. Amaninder Singh of Raedhrana village, Sangrur, will also receive the Chief Minister's Award for horticulture. Known for his expertise in vegetable farming, he has made significant contributions in mushroom cultivation, seedling production, and precision farming techniques such as drip irrigation and fertigation.
Pawan Jot Singh from Dhogri village, Jalandhar, will receive Chief Minister's Award for crop production & allied sectors for his achievements in large-scale farming. With over 42 years of farming experience, he owns 17.5 acres and leases approximately 125 acres for diverse agricultural activities.
Baljit Singh of Kakra village, Sangrur, will be honoured with the Sardarni Prakash Kaur Saran Memorial Award for his contributions to crop production and allied agricultural activities. Specializing in mushroom farming, he has been engaged in the industry for over a decade and has undergone training at Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan.
Ludhiana: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Kisan Mela, set to begin on Friday, will honour progressive farmers for their exemplary contributions to modern agriculture, organic farming, horticulture, and allied sectors. These awards will be presented during the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Kharif Kisan Mela' as part of PAU's ongoing commitment to encouraging scientific farming practices.
Dr Makhkan Singh Bhullar, director of extension education, PAU, stated that the university recognized innovative and environmentally sustainable farming efforts through such awards. "The objective of this initiative is to motivate more farmers to adopt scientific techniques and contribute towards sustainable agricultural growth," he added. Dr. Tejinder Singh Riar, additional director of communication, PAU, elaborated on the awards, highlighting the remarkable achievements of selected farmers across different farming domains.
Gurdeep Singh from Kot Fatuhi, block Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur, will receive the award for ‘Innovative mechanized farming'. He has been adopting modern agricultural machinery effectively. With over 15 years of experience, he owns nine acres and manages an additional 55 acres on lease. "I have been keen to adopt new technology. I started using the paddy trans-planter that was introduced three years ago and have been using advanced bailer machines," he said, adding, "With time, one has to change and my advice to the farmer brotherhood is to try to adopt new technology and gain technical know how to repair the machines on their own as well. I have seen that farmers do purchase, but after a fault, these become useless for want of repair that leads to crucial loss of time during the critical sowing or reapting time," he added.
Jasbir Singh, a 71-year-old farmer from block Tanda in Hoshiarpur, will be recognized with the award for ‘Water management innovation' for his efficient and minimal use of water for farming. With over five decades of farming experience, he efficiently manages 12 acres of farmland, incorporating scientific water conservation techniques. He said the credit for efficient water management also goes to his son, who observed the water management techniques in Kuwait and Austria and implemented these at their farms. "After my son Paramvir Singh returned from abroad, we tried to emulate the irrigation systems with rain gun pipes, which has been helpful in reducing the use of water by at least 66% in growing paddy when compared to the flood irrigation system. The system also helps reduce the use of weedicides. We have also been recycling our dairy waste well for use in agriculture."
Harpreet Kaur of Manna village in Sangrur will be honoured with the award for ‘Excellence in organic farming'. She began with three acres of organic cultivation in 2021 and has undergone extensive training in sustainable farming techniques from Punjab Agro Barnala, the Natural Farmers Association, and KVK Sangrur. She currently serves as vice-president of the PAU organic farmers' club.
Two farmers have been selected for the Chief Minister's Award for horticulture excellence. Jaskaran Singh, a progressive horticulturist from Kauni village, Gidderbaha in Sri Muktsar Sahib, will be honoured for his specialization in strawberry cultivation. Having cultivated 15 acres for over 32 years, he has successfully commercialized scientific berry farming. Amaninder Singh of Raedhrana village, Sangrur, will also receive the Chief Minister's Award for horticulture. Known for his expertise in vegetable farming, he has made significant contributions in mushroom cultivation, seedling production, and precision farming techniques such as drip irrigation and fertigation.
Pawan Jot Singh from Dhogri village, Jalandhar, will receive Chief Minister's Award for crop production & allied sectors for his achievements in large-scale farming. With over 42 years of farming experience, he owns 17.5 acres and leases approximately 125 acres for diverse agricultural activities.
Baljit Singh of Kakra village, Sangrur, will be honoured with the Sardarni Prakash Kaur Saran Memorial Award for his contributions to crop production and allied agricultural activities. Specializing in mushroom farming, he has been engaged in the industry for over a decade and has undergone training at Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan.