Institutional training

Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised a two-day institutional training for PCS probationers of Punjab. In all, 52 officers participated in the training programme. PS Aulakh, additional director, Extension Education, highlighted training and extension components of PAU. Dr JS Dhiman, former additional director of research (natural resource and plant health management), threw light on the changing disease scenario and integrated disease management strategies for different horticultural and field crops. Dr SK Jindal and Dr JS Brar delivered lectures on ‘Present status and future thrust for vegetable production’ and ‘Diversification through fruit production’, respectively. Dr Ashok Kumar, additional director of research, deliberated upon research achievements of PAU. Besides, the progress and prospects of apiculture in the state were also discussed. The participants were shown field demonstrations on latest technologies at Plant Breeding Museum, Biotechnology Centre, Research Hall of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering and Food Science and Technology Lab. 

‘Train the trainers’ programme

As a part of capacity building under Pardhan Mantri Kaushul Vikas Yojna (PMKVY), Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana and Agriculture Skill Council of India working under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship have come together to conduct, ‘Train the trainer programme for trainers of organic grower’ from September 14 to September 16 to produce quality trainers for rural areas and contribute in the Skill India Mission. The training included lectures, demonstrations, practical skills and assessment by third party to see their suitability as trainers under PMKVY. Special emphasis was given on the practices of fertilisation and egg parasitoid trichogramma for bio-suppression of insect’s pest in organic field. He said that the trainees once certified as trainers would be ambassadors of PAU and ASCI in the organic farming field. The major thrust of such programme was to provide trainers to further train the unemployed youth and provide them with skills to enhance their income in rural areas.

Training in communication

The Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised a five-day training programme on ‘Communication Skills’ for extension functionaries of state agriculture and allied departments and ATMA staff. Various experts from PAU and Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Park (STEP) imparted skills on speaking, writing, listening and questioning to as many as 24 trainees, so that they could effectively implement the extension activities. In the valedictory session, Dr HS Dhaliwal, director, PAMETI, advised the trainees to improve their communication skills by actively taking part in extension activities. This would help in better dissemination of agricultural knowledge to the farmers, he said. Agricultural extension officers were mediators between researchers and farmers, he said. They operated as communicators and facilitators, serving farmers with appropriate knowledge and skills and helping them in decision-making, he said. —TNS