Ludhiana, May 12, 2023 (Yes Punjab News)
At the “NRI Farmers’ Conclave: Experience Exchange for Punjab Farmers’ Welfare” organized at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), 17 progressive farmers and agricultural scientists, having their roots in Punjab and Haryana as well as presently based in Australia, Canada, USA, Tanzania and Zambia, enlightened the Punjab farmers with their tales of travails and triumphs in the foreign lands.
The Punjabi diaspora called upon the farmers to upgrade their agricultural knowledge; follow PAU recommendations; adopt scientific methods for natural resource conservation and crop diversification; go in for cooperative farming and boost their technology connections to tide over the plethora of agricultural problems being confronted in the present times.
The chief guest Sardar Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Minister for Agriculture and NRI Affairs, Punjab, drove home the point that it was the time to seek support from the NRI farmers, without whom it was not possible for the Punjab to come out of the agrarian crisis. He made a call to the NRI farmers to give fruitful suggestions to enhance the income of the farmers through productive marketability and for drafting agricultural policy.
Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, while voicing concern over the agrarian challenges, stated: “Agriculture has never been a bed of roses, rather farmers have borne the brunt of all the hardships which ever came in their way. Rolling in the dust, they have done marvels with their efficaciousness and striven hard to feed the ever-growing and demanding population of Punjab and India.” He urged the NRI farmers to suggest out of box solutions to the current challenges of nature resource depletion, weather fluctuations and descending farm income.
Mr Sumer Singh Gurjar, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab, recalled his visits to Kenya and Tanzania where Punjabis were well-established and living separately from their families just to practice farming. He applauded the Punjabis for their farsightedness and determination.
The Chairman of the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers’ Commission Dr Sukhpal Singh said that the vital information received in the form of feedback from the Punjab farmers as well as the NRI farmers during the milni would be taken into consideration while finalizing the agricultural policy.
From Australia, farmers, namely Agyakar Singh Grewal, Amandeep Singh Sidhu, Gurshaminder Singh and Rumel Singh Toor shared their journeys from being mechanic to farm entrepreneur; an innovator with the cultivation of exotic fruits and vegetables (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cucumbers and dragon fruit); a successful horticulturist (cultivating oranges and grapes as well as marketing their juices through processing) and social worker; and being the first-of-its-kind in Griffith (known for wine making and rice milling in Australia) with the cultivation of wheat, corn, cotton and canola, respectively.
Gurpreet Singh Brar, who is a guiding light in berry farming in Canada, and Inder Mann, Public Policy expert, urged the Punjab farmers to realize the real value of their fertile land, water and educated youths; and recommended the cooperative model in cultivation, processing, packaging and marketing for remunerative returns.
Through video messages from USA, farmers, namely Jasbir Singh Sidhu, Charanjit Singh Batth (popularly called the Raisin King of US) and Gary Chahil provided a deep insight into the cultivation practices of almonds and grapes, raising of raisins in California, and growing of almonds and pistachios, respectively. Gurinder Singh Aujla, President and CEO in California, also dived into the trials and tribulations to reach the zenith.
Two PAU alumni, Dr Gurreet Pal Brar, Assistant Professor at California State University, Fresno, where he is contributing immensely to the agricultural research, teaching, and extension activities; and Hardeep Singh, Assistant Specialist for specific crops and small fields in Fresno, University of California Cooperative Extension, also recalled their rich experiences of making agriculture lucrative for the small farmers.
Besides, Dr Bikram Singh Gill, an eminent wheat breeder who has devoted his entire life to the golden grains, and Kewal Basi, a philanpthropist and a factory worker who turned into a successful landowner and businessman, reflected upon the boons and banes in agriculture.
Organic farmer and horticulturist Jagvir Singh Shergill from US stressed upon ensuring the health and safety of the people and the environment for sustainable agriculture.
Brought up in Tanzania, Rajinder Singh Mand spoke on the cultivation of bananas, sugarcane, lentils and pigeon peas as well as seed multiplication for companies and exporting flower and lentil seeds. As a measure to save water, he also cultivates sunflower and safflower oilseeds, barley, and kidney beans for export to European countries
Gurraj Singh Dhillon, settled in Zambia, talked about growing maize, soybean, vegetables and fresh leaves in addition to being a master in carpentry, mechanics and electrical works.
Earlier, Dr GS Buttar, Director of Extension Education, welcomed the NRI farmers and the participating farmers.
Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, proposed a vote of thanks.
Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director, Institutional Relations, conducted the programme.
During the interactive session, farmers sought answers to several questions which were addressed by the NRI farmers. It was followed by an entertaining cultural programme which enthralled the audience to the fullest.
CLICK HERE to Subscribe to YesPunjab Telegram Channel & receive Important News Updates
