The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture sector needs diversification: Aulakh
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 27 — The Punjab agricultural sector is in the need of diversification and the horticulture sector can act as a good alternative. For the progress of horticulture, the development of post-harvest infrastructure needs specialised care and this venture is highly technical in the present context of globalisation.

This was stated by Dr K.S. Aulakh, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, while inaugurating a short course on ‘Controlled atmosphere storage of fruits and vegetables — constraints and cope’ introduced by the Punjab Horticultural Post-Harvest Technology Centre (PHPTC) at the university here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr A.S Dhatt, director of the centre, said the controlled atmosphere storage of fruits and vegetables held great promise for the processing sector. ‘‘The controlled atmosphere stored apple from New Zealand has already appeared in Indian market and is selling at higher rates. In future, we may face much more competition in better technologies and vegetables from developed countries”.

‘‘To meet this challenge, we have to be at par with out competitors. Controlled atmosphere is a proven improved technology for long-term storage. It also aids in long-distance transportation”, he said.

He further said that controlled atmosphere usually involved reduction of oxygen and elevation of carbon dioxide concentration to achieve an atmospheric composition around the product that is different than air. The proper selection of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and consequent benefits and risks are dependent upon the product, variety, growing region, physiological age, and duration of storage and transport, he said .

The two-day course is being organised under the expertise of Dr S.P. Schouten from Netherlands, who is on a visit to PAU under the Netherlands Management Cooperation programme. More than 30 participants including PAU faculty, farmers and representatives of food processing industry are attending this course.

EDUCATION

PAU professor awarded
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 27 — Dr S.S. Chahal, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, has been awarded the Mudukar Memorial Award by the Indian Phytopathological Society, New Delhi.

This is for the first time that a PAU scientist has received this award. Dr Chahal had received the Meritorious Teacher Award in March last year for his outstanding service in the field of human resource development and higher education. A two-time recipient of the Professor MJ Narsimhan Merit Academic Award, he has made tremendous efforts in improving academic programmes, updating resident instructions and establishing plant clinic.

Dr Chahal has nearly 105 research papers, published in Indian and foreign journals, and 10 books to his credit. He has carried out research in the fields of disease resistance, epidemiology and management of serious diseases of cereals including ergot and downy mildew of pearl millet, kernel smut of rice and kernel bunt of wheat.

PAU PULSE
Animal welfare camp

LUDHIANA, Feb 27 — An Animal Welfare Camp was organised by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, Punjab Agricultural University, in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ferozepur, at Patli village , Moga.

More than 400 cases of reproductive disorders were detected in the animals of area. Dr J.S. Kolar, Director, Extension Education, advised the farmers to get their animals checked up regularly and give them balanced feed to get maximum productivity from them.

Dr K.B. Singh, Head, Department of Veterinary Extension, apprised farmers about the animals healthcare services provided by the university. Dr. B.S. Sidhu, Associate Director of the KVK, said the kendra at Ferozepur had facilities for imparting training in crop production, animal science and home science. He urged the farmers to make maximum use of these facilities.

Communal harmony festival

Inter-school declamation, painting and quiz contests marked the second day of the communal harmony festival being organised by the Education Department (Schools), Punjab, in association with the National Foundation for Communal Harmony, New Delhi, at Government Senior Secondary Model School, Punjab Agricultural University here today.

In the declamation contest, 16 students from eight schools participated. The topics for the contest were ‘Mazhab nahin sikhata aapas mein bair rakhna’, ‘Meri nazar mein mera school and ‘Communal harmony- need to make efforts’.

Nearly 100 students participated in the painting contest on the topic ‘Communal Harmony and National Integration’.

The chief guest on the occasion was Ms Sumsta Bawa, District Science Supervisor. Ms Gurcharan K. Kochhar, Mr P.L. Nirmal and Mr Paramjit Singh, all teachers from the host school, coordinated the various contests.

COURTS

Avtar case: Pinki’s remand extended till March 12
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Feb 27 — The judicial remand of the demoted police Inspector Gurmeet Singh Pinki in the Avtar Singh murder case has been extended till March 12. The police brought Pinki to the local court in tight security.

The family members of Avtar Singh, especially women, raised slogans against him when he was produced in the court along with four others. Family members and others had gathered in the court early in the morning.

He was taken to judicial lock-up immediately after his appearance in the court. The police had made elaborate security arrangements in the court. He was brought in a police van and taken back in the same.