Kisan Mela concludes in Ludhiana: ‘Punjab leads drop in straw fires’, soil-testing robots rewrite food security rulebook.

Ludhiana: Punjab's farmers lead a 90% drop in stubble burning as Punjab Agricultural University's Kisan Mela unveils the AI-driven future of Indian agriculture at its conclusion in this city.Thousands of farmers converged on the PAU campus on Saturday for the conclusion of the Kisan Mela, a flagship event showcasing the next generation of food security and sustainable farming technology. The event, which serves as a critical bridge between laboratory research and field application, featured high-level calls for an urgent shift toward crop diversification and the adoption of artificial intelligence in the agricultural sector.M L Jat, director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), lauded the university as a global model of excellence. He noted a significant environmental milestone: "Punjab and Haryana have reduced stubble burning by nearly 90%, a feat recently recognised in Parliament." "Farmers are my true gurus," Jat said, while urging the industry to transition toward direct seeded rice (DSR) and specialised farming zones to ensure long-term ecological survival.The summit highlighted several key pillars for the upcoming financial year. Technology integration on display covered adoption of market intelligence systems and AI-driven crop planning. Sustainability solutions included rationalised fertilizer use based on robotic soil testing and a move toward biological inputs. Diversification plans cover new national missions focusing on cotton, pulses, and oilseeds to move away from water-intensive monocultures.Addressing immediate seasonal concerns, PAU vice-chancellor, Satbir Singh Gosal, reassured growers that recent colour changes in wheat crops are not symptomatic of disease. He advised against "indiscriminate" pesticide spraying, noting that the current dip in temperature is expected to boost wheat yields, provided the region avoids late-season hailstorms.Harcharan Singh Barsat, chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board, echoed the call for modernization, urging farmers to strengthen livestock-based livelihoods and embrace digital agriculture to remain competitive in a shifting global market. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with EId ul fitr 2026 wishes, messages and quotes !