To dwell on vital aspects of agriculture and allied farming, eminent agriculture experts, farm scientists, and delegates from Canada, Pakistan, UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, and United States would participate in Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit (PPAS) to be held in Mohali from February 16 to 19.
During the summit, discussions will be held with internationally-acclaimed agri-experts economists, researchers and scientists to safeguards the interests of the beleaguered peasantry which was passing through a deep crisis.
Saskatchewan (Canada) Minister of Agriculture lyle Stewart, Pakistan Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Furrukh Javed, British Deputy High Commissioner North West India David lelliott, Netherlands Agro, Food and Technology Centre (NAFC) Director Marijn leijten, Australian First Secretary Chris King, USA General International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre director Dr Thomas lumpkin, among others would participate in the summit, the spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Besides, the world famous Agriculture Scientist and Plant Breeder Dr Gurdev Singh Khush, Director General Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) New Delhi Dr S Ayyappan, former chairman Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) Prof T Haque, Director National Centre for Agriculture Economics and Policy Research Dr Ramesh Chand, former director-general ICAR Dr RS Parodha would throw light on various aspects of agriculture production, marketing, value-addition and scope of synergy between agriculture and agro-processing.
The Summit would also witness participation of several Agriculture Ministers and eminent political leaders of national repute cutting across the political lines to dwell on the condition of farming community in order to mitigate their sufferings thereby suggesting ways and means to supplement their income, the spokesperson said.
Nearly 92 out of 138 million land holders were holding less than one acre in the country and their condition was pitiable. Due to the prevailing agrarian crisis, they are neither farmers nor labourers, he said.
Nearly 50,000 farmers alone from Punjab and 5,000 farmers from other states — including West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir — would participate in this agri- summit being held at legendary Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Chappar Chirri in Mohali over an area of 130 acres.