Taking a forward-looking step to bail out the Punjab farmers from growing socio-economic worries, Mr Arshdeep Singh Thind, Administrative Secretary (Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare), Punjab, visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today to hold productive talks with the Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Dr Rishi pal Singh Registrar,senior officials and faculty of the University.
Expressing serious concern over prolonged challenges of water depletion, climate uncertainty and fluctuating income, Mr Thind called for making inroads into the subsidiary occupations, especially, agro-processing and value addition as an answer to these pressing issues. “Entrepreneurship is a word of the day,” he remarked, saying that farmers, women and youths needed to be stimulated to develop entrepreneurial mindset and go into this direction for rich crop and fiscal harvests as well as agricultural and livelihood sustainability. While making a call for making agricultural community atma- nirbhar (self-reliant), Mr Thind underscored the emphasis of the State government on the promotion of agri-businesses as side-businesses. In view of high tariffs imposed by the foreign nations, ultimately hitting the exports and the income; rural community must be given a reliable and stable option like agro-processing for a steady flow of income, he observed.
Pointing out the availability of the adulterated food products in the markets, posing a risk to the lives of the citizens, Mr Thind stated that it was a high-time to encourage the farmers to opt for value addition of crops and deliver as well as supply pure and quality food products at the doorstep of the consumers. “PAU has done a commendable job in the setting up of agro-processing complexes across Punjab, the number of which has crossed 370 and is escalating. It fosters strong agricultural expert-entrepreneur relation and reaffirms PAU’s rock-solid commitment to the economic and employment development in the rural areas. Giving a push to ‘vocal for local’ in the contemporary times is ought to show positive outcome,” said he. Further, Mr Thind focused on skill expansion for the fruitful results.
Prior to this, during his recent visit to PAU on December 19, Mr Thind hailed the water-saving, climate-combating and the soil-strengthening crop varieties and agri-technologies, developed by the agri-varsity for the welfare of the farming community. Today, Mr Thind re-assured constant support of the Punjab government to the PAU in resolving farmers’ fiscal crisis and providing a timely solution to them.
During interaction and while welcoming Mr Thind, Dr Gosal said that skill development trainings in agriculture and allied occupations have benefitted farmers, womenfolk and youths enormously, in terms of their entrepreneurial and economic solidification. Jaggery making and preparation of honey-based food products were emerging as highly-sought after side-businesses due to their constant usage in the prep of food recipes as substitute to sugar and rising demand from foreign countries, he added. Earlier, self-help groups have done marvels, but now entrepreneurs are the trendsetters, he said.
The Director of Research Dr AS Dhatt said that agro-processing was gaining momentum, thus, bolstering the agricultural and farmers’ economy. Suggesting the processing of wheat, rice, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, etc., Dr Dhatt said that the APC at PAU comprised machinery such as Wheat Flour Mill, Mini Rice Mill, Rice Grader, Pulse Mill, Pulse Cleaner-cum-Grader, Hydraulic Oil Processor, Grain Storage Silo, Automatic Packaging Machine, Vacuum Packaging Machine, Nitrogen Flush Packaging Machine, etc. These machines offered several opportunities to the farmers to double their income, he added.
Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, informed about the regular skill development trainings, being organized by the PAU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras in value addition and food processing across Punjab, to promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs.
Dr Jaswant Singh, Director of Agriculture, Punjab, highlighted the collaborative success of Agriculture Department and PAU; together they have promoted water-efficient crop varieties, advanced agricultural technologies, averted several insect-pest attacks, and promoted subsidiary occupations among the farmers.
Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institutional Linkages), coordinated the programme and proposed a vote of thanks.
Present on the occasion were deans, directors, additional directors, heads of departments and faculty of PAU.