In spite of the “rain-ravaged disaster” faced by the Punjab due to torrential rains, the two-day Kisan Mela at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) kicked off among the hailing spirits of the state farmers, bringing cheer on every face and solidifying the farmers-scientists’ bond, today. Remaining undeterred in the times when heavy downpour devastated the lives of the rural Punjabis; farmers from Punjab and adjoining states visited, participated and interacted with the scientists at the mela regarding their ongoing agricultural issues. Amidst sombre atmosphere sans cultural programme, the agricultural fair communicated the message of embracing self-reliant entrepreneurship via its theme, “Make products from farm produce to accrue agri-income.”

The chief guest Sardar Harchand Singh Barsat, Chairman, Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, while inaugurating the mela, bemoaned the existential crisis as a result of incessant rains in Punjab. When losses pegged to Rs 20,000 crore, the allotment of just meagre amount of Rs 1,600 crore by the Centre for flood relief has left the state at the mercy of the State government and its own people, he observed. Advocating the adoption of PAU recommended varieties and kitchen garden for commercial production and domestic consumption, Sardar Barsat assured full support to the University in the coming times.

Presiding over the mela, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, expressed grave concern over the flood situation in Punjab in the wake of relentless rains. “Ravi river has caused maximum damage,” he observed, while stating that it was a harrowing experience to see the 5 lakh acres of area, farm machinery, animals, food items, etc. being swept away with the fast flow of water. Pointing out the emergence of ‘silt,’ Dr Gosal voiced serious concern over its damaging effects on the next crop. Realizing the gravity of the situation, PAU has decided to provide subsidized wheat seeds to the state farmers this year with a valuable contribution from the teaching and non-teaching staff, he informed the farmers. Elaborating, Dr Gosal called the 63 years of establishment of PAU a momentous occasion as it was a mother of seven institutions in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in addition to Green Revolution in India. “I am equally overwhelmed to see the beeline of farmers for the seed purchase at PAU since Thursday evening,” he said, while telling that 35 seed sale centres have been set up across Punjab for farmers’ convenience. Furthermore, the PAU VC promoted the use of vegetable, pulses and oilseeds kits as well as biofertilizers; adoption of agri-business model; operation of GNSS-based Auto Steering System (AI-generated machine without driver), Censor Based Irrigation System, Surface Seeder (for paddy straw management), etc. and advised remaining in touch with PAU via social media (new University website, WhatsApp groups, etc.). Dr Gosal also called upon the old generation of farmers to retain new generation in agriculture in light of rush for foreign lands.

The guest of honour Dr Sukhpal Singh, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission, Chandigarh, pointed to the blessings bestowed on Punjab – fertile land and soil, good weather and high agricultural productivity. But the US imposition of high tariffs have resulted in economic losses to the farmers, especially, cotton growers, he lamented. Keeping in view the present-day market trends, Dr Singh called for setting up of institutes, societies and pinds (villages) to provide a leg-up to the marketing of agricultural produce, thus, enhancing the farm income, reducing the dependence on foreign markets and making the rural populace atma-nirbhar (self-reliant).

Presenting the latest recommendations, Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, shed light on the newly recommended crop varieties, namely PBW 872 of wheat (gained top position at the national level), PL 942 of jaun (oats), SML 2575 of summer moong, and Punjab Potato 103 and 104 of potato. “Water remains a primary concern,” he pointed out, saying that farmers’ rising penchant for non-water intensive crop varieties was yielding positive outcome for the state’s agriculture. Dr Dhatt further disclosed the development of production and protection technologies (for wheat, paddy, maize, pulses, oilseeds - gobhi, toria, raya, etc.); farm machinery (GNSS-based Auto-Steering System, PAU Manual Operator Seeder, etc.); and inclusion of goat farming in Integrated Farming System Model.

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, credited the top ranking of PAU in NIRF rankings 2023, 2024 and 2025 to the joint efforts of PAU and the farming community of Punjab. “PAU-farmers have always rendered much-needed support to each other, thus, catapulting the duo (agri-varsity-farmers) to great heights,” he stated. Additionally, Dr Bhullar urged the farmers to undergo skill trainings at Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Skill Development Centre at PAU, visit 300 stalls of agro-industrial exhibition at the mela as well as explore and embrace new crop varieties and technologies of PAU during their visits to the departmental stalls.

Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, proposed a vote of thanks.

On the occasion, five progressive farmers including one farm woman were feted for making outstanding contributions to agriculture and allied enterprises. Manpreet Singh of village Fatehpur, district Hoshiarpur, was conferred with “Parvasi Bharti Award,” while Sukhtar Singh of village Sangatpura, district Sangrur, was awarded with “Sardar Dalip Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Award.” Sardar Chanan Singh Saran of Tarn Taran district, was honoured with “Sardar Ujjagar Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Award,” whereas Sanjeev Kumar Kahol of village Mehalwali, district Hoshiarpur, was awarded “Sardar Surjit Singh Dhillon Award.” Gurpreet Kaur of village Kalyan, district Patiala, was conferred with “Sardarni Jagbir Kaur Grewal Memorial Award.”

Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, while coordinating the programme, called upon the participants to adopt PAU recommended wheat varieties - PBW 826 and PBW 872- which have won national recognition.

Members of PAU Board of Management, namely Dr DS Cheema, Dr Ashok Kumar and Dr AS Dhillon; Chairman of PUNSUP, Sardar MS Sidhu; and Director of ATTARI Dr Parvender Sheoran were also present on the occasion.