Farmers Scientists interface under Farmer FIRST project was organized at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. The objective of this programme was to show them web telecast of the address by Sh. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India at Krishi Unnati Mela organised at New Delhi. In this programme about 250 farmers related with Farmer FIRST Project watched the live programme of Krishi Unnati Mela at Silver Jubille Block Auditorium at GADVASU campus. Sh Narendra Modi inaugurated the mela. Progressive farmers and leading states producing different agricultural commodities were honoured by PM. Punjab has been conferred with the Krishi Karman award 2015-16 for best performance in raising countries food grain production. Punjab rural development & Panchayat Minister Sh. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa received the award. In the programme PM also inaugurated 25 KVK in different parts of country. In his address Sh. Modi shared different schemes of government for the benefit of farmers. He also stressed upon the ' Gramin Haat' scheme for direct marketing of farmers produce. He said that in this way farmer will also get the share of middleman and his profit will be increased. He also advocated e- marketing portal for organic products. He said that we are lacking in value addition of products so it is a concern area for all the stakeholders. He highlighted the importance of KVKs and said that they are Light Houses for our farming community. He explained the importance of ' Gobar Dhan Yojna' for benefit and safety of environment. He shared success stories of farmers who are producing gas from dung. He said that farmers are doing a lot but now there is need of transformation of farming through technology. He said that financial institutes are there for different types of loan schemes for farmers. We should also address paddy residue management with new tools and technologies he added.
After the web telecast Directorate of Extension Education, GADVASU also released folders in Punjabi and University Magazine 'Vigyanik Pashu Palan' (Mela edition) in the presence of august gathering. In the release ceremony Dr. HK Verma, Director Extension Education, Dr Simrat Sagar Singh, Dean Post Graduate Studies, Dr Rajesh Rana, Scientist ATARI, Sh Parveen Kumar DDM, NABARD and Dr SK Kansal, Principal Investigator of Farmer FIRST project released the literature. In the farmers scientist interface Dr. H.K.Verma answered different queries of farmers in an impressive manner. The whole team of Department of Veterinary Animal Husbandry and Extension Education coordinated the whole show in a very meticulous way.
