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AGRICULTURE

A lot common between farm sectors of two Punjabs
Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 13
If politics divided the land of five rivers along religious lines, geography continues to keep the two parts alike in terms of economy and agriculture. This is what two agricultural economists of Punjab Agricultural University found during their extensive research on agriculture in two parts of Punjab.

This is the 'crop story' of two Punjabs, Indian and Pakistani, scripted by R S Sidhu and A S Bhullar, both Economists at Punjab Agricultural University. While scrutinising statistics and data on the "patterns and determinants of agricultural growth" in the two states, they stumbled upon more similarities and fewer differences.

This study identifies three areas of agricultural exchange programmes between the two Punjabs, which possibly could lead to amelioration of the economic conditions of farmers on both sides of the border.

Dr Sidhu and Dr Bhullar have identified three areas of co-operation from which the two Punjab farmers can benefit. These are technology transfer, acting as 'one' block in agricultural trade, say for aromatic rice and cotton; and easing trade restrictions and encouraging bilateral business.

Elaborating on the trade exchanges, the duo gives the example of wheat. Whenever Pakistan faces a shortage of wheat, it can import the same from the Indian Punjab. Likewise, depending upon the "economic competitiveness and production, the two countries can stretch the easing of trade restrictions benefits to fruits and vegetables.

Both Punjabs, the study reveals, registered more than 5 per cent growth, largely contributed by crop yields till the end of 1980s. It was 42 per cent to 52 per cent in 'our' Punjab and 53 per cent in 'their' Punjab. What led to this growth rate, at least one-third of five per cent, was increase in area under crops and the 'shift' in crop patterns towards 'high-yielding' and 'profitable' crops.

Being 'twins', the two states also faced a "slowdown" in agriculture growth rate and stagnation in 1990s, resulting in decline in productivity in important crops; though the growth of productivity in crops was higher in Pakistan Punjab in 90s.

However, productivity in all crops, except cotton, was higher in Indian Punjab. Pakistan scored over Indian Punjab cotton growers.

Sieving through available crop data and policy frame-works operative in the two Punjabs, the experts observed that in Pakistan primarily poor irrigation and less or non-application of modern production technologies or inputs had led to lower productivity. In Indian Punjab tubewells played a major role in providing assured irrigation than canals; just as did fertilisers and plant protection chemicals.

Indian Punjab farmers have had several "advantages" over their Pakistani counterparts, say of government price support or assured market mechanism or power subsidies .

These farmers also had the advantage of institutional credit and infrastructure investments, besides rural electrification, which has helped in a big way to log higher productivity.

Pakistan Punjab farmers, on the other hand, did not have these "advantages" as they have had to fend themselves in the choppy market waters. They do not get any minimum support price for their farm produce and there is no system of national "food buffer stock".

Electricity supplied to the agriculture sector is at the same rate or tariff as admissible to "domestic power", which is much costlier than "industrial tariff.

Interestingly, farmers in both Punjabs facesimilar problems, say water depletion and soil degradation.

The soil, in Pakistan and India, has become "nutrient-exhaustive, lost fertility and become a victim of salinity. Consequently, the production patterns are reaching unsustainable limits from both the economic and ecological point in both states.

As both India and Pakistan are key players in the international market for basmati , the two must bargain hard for price as also protect their geographical barriers. The two must also learn to jointly manage "volatility" in cotton prices in the international market. 

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Inter-college extravaganza on February 17
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, February 13
The Mandi Gobindgarh- based RIMT-Institute of Management and Computer Technology will organise a one-day inter-college extravaganza "RIMT Rhythmz '06" sponsored by Airtel on February17. This gala show will have 18 cultural, literary, management and IT events.

Giving this information to the press today,Chairman of RIMT Group Hukam Chand Bansal said the programme would be inaugurated at 9.30 am by MrJasjeet Singh Randhawa, Cabinet Minister for Cooperation and Horticulture,while Dr Siby John ,Dean, Examinations, Punjab Technical University, will be the guest of honour.

The chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony will be Mr Randeep Singh, MLA and Chairman, Punjab Infotech, Punjab, while Dr V.K. Arora, Dean, Academics and Planning & Development, Punjab Technical University ,will be the guest of honour.

Dr B.S. Bhatia, director of the institute, said that RIMT-IMCT had invited more than 100 reputed professional and degree colleges of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Chandigarh and it was expected that more than 600 students from 20-25 colleges would showcase their talent.

The events include modelling, choreography, group dance, quiz, antakshri, ad mad show, mimicry, skit, solo song and laughter challenge.

The overall sponsors of the programme is Airtel whereas the media sponsor is an NRI channel. The other main sponsors are BN Overseas Educational Services, Grey Matters, Dada Motors, Jain Book Depot, Lally Motors, IT Hub and Mantra .

Dr Bhatia said the purpose of organising such a show was to associate the institute with the corporate world and to encourage students of the region to exhibit their talent by providing a platform to them.

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Annual sports day at Love Dale School
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
Love Dale Montessori organised their annual sports day here. The children participated in competitions . Events like 50m race, banana race, 3-legged race, tricycle race and potato races were held. The children had fun. The events were followed by prize distribution. Refreshments were also served.

Results are as follows: 50 m race

Pre nursery- Gursahib Ist, Tripat 2nd, Jhanvi 3rd;

Nursery B-Gopesh Ist, Sanidhya 2nd, Apoorv 3rd;

Nursery G- Abhilasha Ist, Mouli 2nd, Sakshi 3rd;

4yrs- Ishita Ist, Vrinda 2nd, Kartikey 3rd;

5 yrs- Shubham Ist, Zova 2nd, Tanya 3rd;

6-7yrs - Parnika Ist, Gunpreet 2nd, Japleen 3rd;

8-10 yrs- Puneet Ist, Kunal 2nd, Guneet 3rd;

10-12 yrs- Mehak Ist, Vibhu 2nd Gurpreet 3rd.

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Ravinder Ravi releases album
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
"After Indian Idol contest, my life took a U turn. I got name and fame and have made a place for myself in spite of the cut- throat competition.. The owners of Arjun Records have helped me to bring out my album 'Jat Lutiya Gaya' , and they are my godfathers", said Ravinder Ravi at the release of his album at Planet M in Sarabha Nagar here last evening.

Helping him achieve his dream is Delhi-based entrepreneur Rajbir Singh who has launched his new company 'Arjun Music World' with Ravinder Ravi's debut album.

The video of one of the songs of the album 'Norwaych Lutiya Gaya,' which has been shot in Barcelona, Spain, features former Miss Norway Anne Lena Hansen and model Amandeep Dhaliwal. 

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Make medical treatment affordable, says Johar
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
The Education Minister, Mr Harnam Das Johar, today asked the health institutions and medical professionals to make the treatment affordable for the poor so that more and more human lives could be saved.

Mr Johar was addressing a function at Guru Teg Bahadur Charitable Hospital here after inaugurating the echocardiography machine set up at a cost of Rs 18 lakh. Mr Johar also inaugurated a free cardiac check-up camp held by Fortis Hospital, Mohali, in which more than 100 patients were examined. The minister announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh to the hospital from his discretionary quota.

Prominent among others present at the occasion were Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Mr Balkar Singh, both councillors, Bakshi Mohinder Singh, president, hospital managing committee, Mr Bharatbir Singh Sobti, Additional Advocate-General, Dr R.S. Sodhi, Medical Superintendent, Dr G.K. Walia, Principal, Institute of Nursing Education, Mr Rakesh Bhandari, Mr Inderjit Singh Toni, Mr Joginder Singh Makkar, Mr Joginder Singh Chugh, Mr Parupkar Singh, Mr Balbir Singh, Mr Inderjit Chawla and Mr S.S. Bindra.

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