Industrial support vital for agri-diversification: Expert

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 24

“Increasing dependence on the main crops, paddy-wheat, is leading to un-sustainability in terms of natural resource depletion in Punjab,” observed Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), while chairing the session on the formation of state policy on diversification of Punjab agriculture.

“For the past 50 years, Punjab had been producing and contributing paddy-wheat to the Central pool without any break and fluctuation, he said. “There is also an overproduction of fruits and vegetables, which have failed to replace paddy-wheat,” he added.

“So, the present scenario calls for making fresh plans about value addition and marketing by giving impetus to crops as well as commodities,” he added. Dr Bains stated, “Strengthening of ecological as well as economic foundation of agriculture is need of the hour.”

Representatives of food processing and value addition industry, farmers and scientists from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) participated in deliberations.

In his welcome address, Dr JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, expressed concern over depleting water resources due to paddy cultivation in the state.

“Reducing area under water guzzling crop ‘paddy’ is vital but farmers’ profitability should not be affected,” he observed.

Dr Mahal said the support of the industry was important to make diversification plan successful in Punjab.

Dr AK Punia, Dean, College of Dairy Sciences, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), said academia-industry linkage could go a long way in creating an impact in dairy sciences. “The day producer turns into processor and processor turns towards marketing, all problems will be solved,” he added.

Earlier, Dr MIS Gill, Additional Director of Research (Horticulture), said, “Without processing, diversification is not possible.” “Gathering inputs from farmers and industry is essential to carve out the future plan for diversification,” he added.

Voicing their concerns, representatives of the industry said water consideration and storage as well as marketing security must be given special emphasis in the state policy on agri-diversification.