When academic excellence digs into agricultural development

Ludhiana: 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 a former UPSC aspirant transforming fruit cultivation to a retired banker mastering organic techniques, these awardees represent a new era of research-oriented and scientifically-backed farming. Vice-chancellor 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 modernise the state's agricultural landscape.Trading UPSC Dream For Thai GuavaKamaljeet Singh, from Birarwal, district Patiala has been selected for the Chief Minister Award for crop diversification. The 36-year-old was a UPSC aspirant and holds an MA degree in political science. "When you study, your mind starts to concentrate on details and becomes research oriented," he said. That is why when he began to research about the best variety of fruit, he found a perfect fruit in a variety of guava from Thailand. Though the family was into traditional farming in 40 acres, he began to diversify 5-7 acres every season, and now along with his younger brother Mandeep Singh grows guava, pomegranate, peach, and bael. The brothers also diversified into vegetables growing bitter gourd capsicum, brinjal, and more that they now cultivate on 40 additional acres on lease. . All the farms are on drip irrigation, and they employ men and women to work on the fields. "Even though I don't have an agriculture background in studies, I bank on a lot of research," he said. Now they have a complete supply chain and network and we do the marketing and sales directly to Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and other places, he said. While he takes care of production, his brother now concentrates on market outreach, he said.'Takes Heart To Invest In Equipment'Sandeep Singh, from Chak Malan village district Hoshiarpur, will be conferred the Chief Minister Award for excellence in farm mechanisation. An early adopter, he has been in agriculture since 2006 and has reapers and combines since the beginning. He is the first one to adopt new machinery, albeit, backed up with his experience and research, so much that even machinery firms direct other farmers to go and see the farm equipment and machinery with him, before making a purchase. He grows crops on 52 acres with seven acres of ancestral land and 45 acres on lease. Paddy transplanter, reaper, mulcher, straw reaper, potato transplanter and digger, laser land leveller and Happy Seeder were the agricultural machines being used by him and provided on custom hiring basis to fellow farmers. Saying no to stubble burning, conserving natural resources, and testing soil have solidified his agrarian success. "It takes heart to invest in new machinery and equipment early, but it pays its dividends in the long run," he said. "You have to invest heavily first. For my paddy machines, I have spares worth Rs 3.5 lakh ready, because these are imported machines and I may not get the spares in case of urgency. It takes courage, but it is worth it," he said. "People used to question me for purchasing a super-seeder in 2019, but I was one of the early ones to adopt," he said.Jaswant Singh has been of village Bhunder Bhaini, district Sangrur will be given the award for carving a niche in subsidiary occupations. Practicing scientific farming on eight acres of ancestral land in addition to seven acres on lease, this 43- year old farmer has done wonders in mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, oil extraction, and natural resource management. Besides cultivating PR 126 and Pusa Basmati 1121, he has laid down underground pipes for water conservation and uses laser land leveller for uniform field levelling.M.Sc Degree Meets Mixed FarmingA retired bank official Surjit Singh, a resident of village Birmpur, district Hoshiarpur, will be honoured with an award for organic cultivation on 15 acres. Having strong association with PAU, this M.Sc pass-out farmer grows potato, peas, turmeric, carrot, garlic, onion and rajmah crops on nine acres using bed planting technique. He also sows wheat on two acres, and conserves natural resources as well as bolsters soil health by ploughing residue in the field. Apart from making jaggery from sugarcane and flour from wheat, he grows capsicum, tomato, brinjal and cucumber using protected cultivation technologies. He earns Rs 15 lakh per annum and uses social media tools for knowledge and economic stimulus.Lakhwinder Singh, a resident of village Manaili, district Fatehgarh Sahib, will be given the "Sardarni Prakash Kaur Memorial Award 2022" for excellence in allied agri-occupations. A 30-year old Punjabi farmer practices mushroom farming through which he reaps good economic benefits from self-marketing. He is also into production of organic mushrooms and compost preparation.Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU vice-chancellor, said that 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.Dr MS Bhullar, director of extension education, said that six progressive farmers will be awarded plaques, citations and cash prizes for excellence in horticulture, organic farming, farm mechanisation and subsidiary occupations.