ICAR Delegation Lauds PAU for Making Punjab Farmers Tech-Centric in Tech-Savvy Era
Report By Jag Mohan Thaken
20 September 2024, Chandigarh: A two-member delegation from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today to deliberate upon the technology transfer programs for the fast-paced technology dissemination from lab to land. The delegation comprising Dr. US Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agriculture Extension), ICAR; and Dr. Ram Chand, former Assistant Director General, ICAR, engaged in fruitful discussions with Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, regarding issues and challenges being confronted by the extension functionaries in the tech-savvy era.
Providing a glance into the extension set up of PAU, Dr. Gosal said that the University had upgraded its transfer of technology programs via social media to share the latest agricultural updates, especially the recommended crop varieties and agri-technologies as well as the weather-based agro-advisory, with the farmers on time. Catering to the agricultural needs of the 10 lakh farming families of Punjab was a huge challenge, he pointed out, stating that no effort was being left to reach every nook and corner of Punjab to make agriculture productive and profitable. Online and offline as well as onsite and offsite exhibitions, training and awareness camps, field demonstrations, Kisan Melas, exposure visits, scientists’ talks and question-answer sessions, were an essential part of PAU extension modes, he added. Further, Dr. Gosal informed the delegation about knowledge enrichment through social media tools like the Kisan App, Kisan Mobile Advisory Service, the weekly digital newspaper ‘Kheti Sandesh’ on WhatsApp, a live Facebook program every Thursday, and YouTube channel; print media such as newspapers, farm publications and pamphlets; and electronic media like TV and radio talks. These extension activities were being carried out regularly by the PAU’s Directorate of Extension Education, Ludhiana; 18 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 15 Farm Advisory Service Centres, functioning across Punjab in different districts, he added. Dr. Gosal also highlighted the emergence of KVK, Malerkotla as a vegetable hub and KVK, Ballowal Saunkhri as an agri-tourism site.
Dr Gautam praised the exemplary linkage of PAU with the farmers as well as its outstanding contributions to agriculture at large. Punjab farmers have been role models for the farming community of India, he observed, while hailing the relentless efforts of PAU in making the state farmers ‘tech-centric.’ Further, Dr Gautam stressed on promoting diversification in terms of crops as well as subsidiary occupations for doubling the income of the farmers, women and the youths.
Dr Chand also lauded PAU’s direct connection with the farmers at the grassroots level through advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools.
Dr TS Riar, Additional Director of Communication, welcomed the delegation and talked about the ongoing communication programs. Later, Dr Gosal presented a shawl and scenery picture of PAU to the visiting members.
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