Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Ludhiana’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Handiaya (Barnala) celebrated “World Soil Day” on dated 5th December, 2017. About 400 farmers from the district and
surrounding areas and scientists from GADVASU, Ludhiana attended the programme. The programme was organized to create awareness among the farming community about the importance of soil health.
Sh. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, MLA, Barnala & Dr. Harish Kumar Verma, Director Extension Education, GADVASU, Ludhiana were the Chief guests of this event.
Dr. P. S. Tanwar, Associate Director put a brief note on activities performed by KVK in the service of farming community. Dr. Tanwar stated that farmer should follow soil testing before starting the cropping and must use fertilizers judiciously. He also stated that KVK, Barnala has soil testing facility and farmers may get the test of their soil samples at KVK.
The programme was inaugurated by Chief guests, Sh. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, MLA, Barnala addressed the farmers and said that such type of programmes
are beneficial for the farmers to make aware them about new technologies in field of agriculture and allied sectors.
Dr. H. K. verma in his address said that “soil is the soul of lives” if soil is healthy human beings and animals will remain also healthy. He also stated that if nutrients in the soil are deficit it will create a number of reproductive problems in dairy animals. Dr. Verma emphasized to feed mineral mixture to the animals and motivated for use of Magnet in the rumen of the animal which will protect the animal from serious problems created due to engulf of iron materials.
Mr. Khushvir Singh Assistant Professor (Fisheries) discussed about the Integrated Fish Farming with agriculture and livestock for efficient recycling of waste. He also emphasized that farmer can utilize their own resources in better way by adopting integrated fish farming and may get extra income for their livelihood. Dr. Kamaldeep Singh Matharu Assistant Professor (Plant protection) delivered a lecture on integrated pest management in different crops. Dr. Harjot Singh, Assistant Professor (Horticulture) gave information on the role of organic manures and bio fertilizers in different horticulture crops. Dr. Suryendra singh, Assistant Professor (Agronomy) discussed about the importance of Soil as critical component of farming system and explained how to take the soil samples for analysis. He suggested the farmers to take care of soil health and its regular testing for proper use of fertilizers in the crops. Dr. Bilawal Singh, Assistant Professor (Veterinary extension) delivered a lecture on reproductive management of dairy animals. Dr. R. K. Gupta, Assistant Professor (LPM) delivered a lecture on construction of housing for livestock.
The Soil Health Cards were also distributed to the farmers on this occasion. Different types of technologies from KVK, Handiaya, various departments of GADVASU, Ludhiana, Self-help group and private companies were exhibited. The farmers and the participants shown keen interest in new technologies displayed at KVK, Handiaya’s mega stall.
Mineral mixture, UMMB and Bypass fat were also sold to the farmers.
The farmers interacted with the scientists of KVK, Handiaya and GADVASU, Ludhiana. Queries related to agriculture and livestock were elucidated on the spot. Woman farmers from different villages of Barnala district were also actively participated in this function. A question- answer session was also held and 20 prizes were distributed to the winners by Dr. H. K. Verma and Dr. P. S. Tanwar.
