PAU Honors Six Progressive Farmers for Innovations in Punjab Agriculture
In a significant boost to Punjab's agrarian spirit, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has selected six progressive farmers to be honored for their pioneering innovations and dedication to agriculture and allied sectors. Set to be conferred at the university's upcoming Kisan Mela, these awards recognize excellence across diverse fields including crop diversification, organic farming, and advanced mechanization.
From UPSC Aspirant to Guava Innovator
Kamaljeet Singh, from Birarwal in Patiala district, has been selected for the Chief Minister Award for crop diversification. The 36-year-old, a former UPSC aspirant with an MA in political science, applied his research-oriented mindset to farming. He discovered a variety of guava from Thailand and began diversifying 5-7 acres every season. Now, along with his brother Mandeep Singh, he grows guava, pomegranate, peach, and bael on their 40-acre family farm.
"Even though I don't have an agriculture background in studies, I bank on a lot of research," he said. The brothers have expanded into vegetables like bitter gourd, capsicum, and brinjal, cultivating an additional 40 acres on lease. All farms use drip irrigation, and they employ both men and women workers. They have established a complete supply chain, marketing directly to cities like Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jammu.
Early Adopter of Farm Mechanization
Sandeep Singh, from Chak Malan village in Hoshiarpur district, will receive the Chief Minister Award for excellence in farm mechanization. An early adopter since 2006, he uses reapers, combines, and other advanced machinery on 52 acres. He is known for being the first to adopt new equipment, so much so that machinery firms direct other farmers to inspect his setups before purchasing.
"It takes heart to invest in new machinery and equipment early, but it pays its dividends in the long run," he emphasized. His arsenal includes a paddy transplanter, reaper, mulcher, straw reaper, potato transplanter and digger, laser land leveller, and Happy Seeder. He avoids stubble burning, conserves natural resources, and conducts soil testing to ensure success.
Diverse Subsidiary Occupations
Jaswant Singh, from village Bhunder Bhaini in Sangrur district, will be awarded for carving a niche in subsidiary occupations. Practicing scientific farming on 15 acres, this 43-year-old farmer excels in mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, oil extraction, and natural resource management. He cultivates PR 126 and Pusa Basmati 1121 rice varieties, uses underground pipes for water conservation, and employs a laser land leveller for uniform field levelling.
Retired Banker Masters Organic Farming
Surjit Singh, a retired bank official from village Birmpur in Hoshiarpur district, will be honored for organic cultivation on 15 acres. An M.Sc graduate with strong ties to PAU, he grows potato, peas, turmeric, carrot, garlic, onion, and rajmah using bed planting techniques. He also sows wheat on two acres, plows residue into fields to bolster soil health, and produces jaggery from sugarcane and flour from wheat.
Using protected cultivation technologies, he grows capsicum, tomato, brinjal, and cucumber, earning Rs 15 lakh annually. He leverages social media for knowledge and economic opportunities, showcasing how modern tools can enhance traditional farming.
Excellence in Allied Agri-Occupations
Lakhwinder Singh, from village Manaili in Fatehgarh Sahib district, will receive the "Sardarni Prakash Kaur Memorial Award 2022" for excellence in allied agri-occupations. The 30-year-old practices mushroom farming, reaping economic benefits through self-marketing. He is also involved in organic mushroom production and compost preparation, demonstrating sustainable agricultural practices.
Encouragement for Farmers
Vice-chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal noted that these accolades serve as a vital source of encouragement for both outstanding and small-scale farmers who have toiled unceasingly to modernize Punjab's agricultural landscape. "These awards were a source of encouragement for the outstanding and small farmers, who had toiled, day and night, unceasingly to make significant strides in farming and farm-related enterprises," he said.
Dr. MS Bhullar, director of extension education, added that the six progressive farmers will be awarded plaques, citations, and cash prizes for excellence in horticulture, organic farming, farm mechanization, and subsidiary occupations. This recognition highlights PAU's commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in agriculture, inspiring a new era of research-oriented and scientifically-backed farming across the state.
