Jalandhar, February 27
DAV University, Jalandhar hosted a one-day “Stakeholder Meet on Medicinal Plants, Haldi-Gur Mahotsav”. The meet aimed at disseminating knowledge about the latest advancements in the agricultural sector and enhancing their skills.
The programme was organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Punjab in collaboration with the Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre, situated at Joginder Nagar in Himachal Pradesh.
The students of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at DAV University and the farmers from different districts of Punjab also displayed value-added products made from farm produce including food and vegetables.
The event was inaugurated by Jaspreet Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar while Dr Gurwinder Singh, Director Agriculture Punjab, presided over the function. MLA Kartarpur, Balkar Singh was the chief guest at the occasion. Dr Arun Chandan, Regional Director, Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre and Dr Avatar Singh, Joint Director Agriculture (E and T), were the guests of honour for the event.
Speaking at the event, Dr Manoj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, DAV University, said that exchange of knowledge held significance and such events should be held frequently.
Other speakers at the function highlighted different issues, challenges and progress made in the field of agriculture in Punjab. Dr Arun Chandan discussed the role of Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre, in promoting medicinal plants in Punjab. Dr Saurabh Sharma, Deputy Director of the centre apprised of medicinal plants having high commercial value and suitable for cultivation in Punjab. Sh Mahavir Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Punjab talked about the role of forest department in promoting medicinal plants in Punjab.
Dr Mahesh Kumar, professor-cum-head, College of Agriculture Engineering and Technology, PAU, Ludhiana discussed the techniques to be followed for the production of a good quality jaggery. Dr K. S. Thind, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, DAV University, spoke about the role of organic farming in agriculture. The speakers also told farmers about the importance of jaggery and turmeric in Ayurveda and its value addition in addition to the processing of medicinal plants.
The welcome address was presented by Prof D R Nag, Consultant, Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre, Dr Gurwinder Singh, Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Punjab. Various other dignitaries including Dr Jaswant Rai, Chief Agriculture Officer, Jalandhar were also present at the occasion.