AGRICULTURE

Substandard seeds worry admn, farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 19
The substandard seeds being sold in the open market have become a cause of serious concern for farmers as well as agricultural experts in the state.

The three advisory committees of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), including the Kisan Committee, the Animal Husbandry Committee and the Fruit and Vegetable Committee which met here, appealed to the PAU to test the non-recommended seed varieties available in the market.

Highlighting the problem of substandard seeds, Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director of Extension Education, PAU, said that last year out of the 22 seed varieties of cotton tested by the university, 20 of them were found to be unfit for cultivation. Dr Kolar also said that cultivation of those seeds would not only affect farmers, but also adversely effect cotton production in the state.

Dr Kolar added that the university would write to the state government to strictly enforce the Seed Act of 1966 to save farmers of the state against cheating by multinational companies.

Dr Darshan Singh, Head, Department of Entomology, said for effective control of pests, chemical control alone was not sufficient and integrated pest management was the need of the hour.

Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, when contacted, said that the university keeps on checking the varieties of seeds time and again. He said that it was the purview of the State Agricultural Department and it was not possible for the university to test all seed varieties available in the market.

He said that the university had been advising farmers to go in for recommended seeds only. Stating that the various companies were luring the farmers to buy their seeds by selling them on cheaper rates, Dr Aulakh said that farmers ought to buy seeds judiciously.

Training course for farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 19
The Directorate of the Extension Education of Punjab Agricultural University, is organising a three months training course in agriculture from August 1 to October 31 for farmers of the state. A communique by the PAU said that the course would impart training in cultivation of field crops, fruits, vegetables, dairy farming, poultry and allied professions.

The university has invited applications on plain paper addressed to the Head, Department of Extension Education, PAU, by July 25. The farmers belonging to all districts except Amritsar and Gurdaspur are eligible for the course. The university will not charge any tuition fee for the course.

The farmers who have passed the senior secondary examination and between 20 to 40 years of age can apply.

EDUCATION

Prize distribution function
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 19
Akal Sahai Convent Senior Secondary School affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board held a cultural function and distributed prizes to meritorious students today. The chief guest for the function was Col G.R. Tetrawal.

It seemed a lot of effort had gone into perfecting the items presented before the gathering at the function, which started with a shabad, “Mera mujh mein kuch nahin, jo kuch hai so tera,” followed by Saraswati vandana. A beautiful song “Ek ek sur milke banta yaaro yeh sangeet”, was appreciated by the audience. A dance with choreography by Kulwinder Singh depicted the soldiers’ plight and bravery during the Kargil war. A beautiful Ghumar (Rajasthani) dance in colourful clothes was performed by Prit Paul and her friends.

A fancy dress competition too was organised. A lot of students participated in this competition. A patriotic song, “Jhanda uncha rahe hamara,” was rendered with great enthusiasm by Maninder Kaur and party. Next on the programme was a religious song, “Kithe tore Ajit atte Jhujar,” sung by Mamta.

“Kabja, kabja, kabja was the name of the dance presented by Upinder Singh and party. The theme was land-grabbing and how people fight to get land back. A short skit titled, “Aaj ka neta,” prepared by Rakesh Kumar and his friends was a satire on the modern day politicians.

The cultural programme included a traditional Punjabi “Jhumar” song sung by some students followed by a Qawwali, “Yeh dua hai aatish-e-ishq mein”. It seemed every part of India was represented as some students performed “Garba”, a Gujarati dance. The chief guest, Col. Tetrawal addressing the students said that he was happy to see that children were developing an all round personality. He advised students to familiarise themselves with computers and work diligently for a better future.