Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Khalsa College, CIPT join hands to launch `Agents of Change Programme’
Amritsar, July 23 (Darmendera Singh Rataul) – Renowned agriculture economist and Chancellor, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Dr.SS Johal today stated that the state’s agriculture sector was under immense stress and crops diversification and farmers’ suicides were major challenges. He emphasized on `new look’ at agriculture, making it profitable through mechanization and bringing farmers out of two-crops pattern of wheat and rice cycle.
While speaking at function marked to launch unique project of `Agents of Change’, initiated by Centre for International Projects Trust (CIPT), New Delhi in collaboration of Khalsa College’s Agriculture department, Dr. Johal said gap of class rooms studies and practical work needed to be bridged. He emphasized how the successive governments have failed to implement the diversification fully due to lack of policy initiative and absence of incentives.
The programs which aims to remove the disconnect between what is happening in farming fields and what is being taught at the academic level or discussed at policy level, would have students working as volunteers to study, survey, and initiate dialogue with farmers and understanding the issues confronting them and also making them aware of the environmental issues and rising use of pesticides, insecticides and exploiting of water.
Dr. Johl said youth of today is empowered with knowledge, voice, information and a determination to make a difference to our society and environment. He urged the students to investigate reasons on what does not allow diversification in Punjab. He indicated that Punjab is exporting its water in form of grains to other states. This is having an impact on the natural resources of the state.
Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina who called Dr.Johal as `saviour of Punjab farmers’ by raking up issues, also called for collective action to identify viable solutions for conservation of resources. He praised involvement of large number of girl students in agriculture and asked volunteers to to study farmering issues by integrating rural life and economy.
Khalsa College Principal Dr.Mehal Singh while welcoming the dignitaries said that it is important for students studying agriculture to be in touch with ground realities of the sector and engage with the farming community to develop a clear understanding of matters concerning the farmers.
Dr. Kamal Vatta, Director, CIPT, highlighted the programme will provide a platform for students to think about new ideas which help us find solutions to some of the problems facing the agricultural sector. Head of Department Dr.Sukhdev Singh, Dr.Didar Singh, Prof. Randeep Kaur Bal, Prof Satnam Singh, Prof Gurdev Singh, Prof. Narinderdeep Singh, Prof. Gurbax Singh, Prof. Rakesh Kumar were present. The stage was managed by Prof Randeep Bal.
