To promote the cultivation of water-saving crops, the Punjab government will organise a first-ever ‘Pehli Sarkar-Kisan Milni’ (meet with farmers) on 12 February at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.

Disclosing this on Wednesday, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said the main purpose of this meeting is to promote the cultivation of water-saving crops by reducing the area under wheat-paddy, and to promote other agricultural allied occupations.

Dhaliwal said during this event being conducted by the Punjab government, there will be direct dialogue between the government and the farmers to make the new agricultural policy of the state.

 He said during this meeting progressive farmers from all over Punjab would give their suggestions directly to the CM and discussions will be held through open dialogue between administration, departments, agricultural research institutes and farmers.

Dhaliwal said it would help to chalk out plans for diversifying the state’s agriculture, making it profitable besides carrying out agricultural reforms.

The minister further said five thousand farmers have been invited for this farmer-government meeting. He said that the participation of experienced farmers with extensive knowledge of various subjects related to agriculture and allied occupations has been ensured.

This apart, members of various agricultural clubs, associations would participate in this meeting. He said that the participation of women farmers belonging to self-help groups, cooperative societies has also been ensured.

The agriculture minister said  20 “Slaaah Mashwara Booths” (suggestions booths) for suggestions regarding production of vegetables, fruits, sugarcane, coarse grains, medicinal plants and aromatic plants, poultry farming, fish farming, goat farming, fodder and fodder, dairy, agricultural machinery, coastal areas, forestry, mushrooms and beekeeping, food processing and value addition and start Up, organic farming, pulses and oilseeds, wheat, paddy and maize and basmati etc will be set up at the meeting venue.

He said subject experts will be present at these 20 different booths, who will give suggestions to the farmers besides addressing their queries.

Dhaliwal said that 11 different departments including agriculture and horticulture will organise exhibitions on this occasion. He said these exhibitions will be full of information to guide the farmers.