Large number of farmers attend Kisan Mela at HAU

by Haryananewswire (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, SEPT 12

 A large number of farmers from Haryana and the  adjoining states  participated in the two-day Kisan Mela at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar which commenced from today.

         The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. K S Khokhar who  inaugurated the mela urged the farmers and agricultural scientists to join their  efforts for further increasing the foodgrain production of the country. He also urged the farmers to adopt new farming techniques and make Haryana a leader in agricultural production in the country. Agricultural Scientists should also contribute by developing agro-technology as per the needs of farmers, he added.

          He said that today the biggest challenge before farming community was shrinking of land holdings, infertile land, depleting water and changing climatic conditions which could decrease the production of agricultural produce. Already it was being estimated that the increase in temperature could lead to reducing the wheat production in the country in times to come.  

          He said that Haryana had recorded huge increase in the foodgrain production. State foodgrain production was only 25 lakh tonnes in the year 1965-66 which had now been increased to 170 lakh tonnes. The state was contributing 17 per cent of  foodgrain to the national food stock. He appreciated the efforts of agricultural scientists of university, farmers of state and policies of the state government in this direction.

          He laid stressed on diversification of agricultural crops as it would be the best option for small and marginal farmers and instead of a single crop they should grow fruits and vegetable. They should also adopt  allied agricultural practices  like dairy farming, beekeeping, mushroom cultivation to ensure  year-long income.