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NEW
INITIATIVES IN AGRICULTURE
 Integrated
Pest Management: A new concept introduced to farmers
to assist in general crop conditions and ability
to identify pests and diseases and their cures.
Bio-Fertilisers:
Bio-fertilisers play a very vital role in farming
today. Concreted efforts are being made to popularise
them in the state, and a special Biofertiliser
Unit has been recently set up in Ludhiana.
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Special
Campaign to Boost Productivity:
Under this campaign, two villages will be allocated to each
Agricultural Development Officer to provide technology transfers
and target on a increase in crop production within a period
of two years. Agricultural Development Officer will also ensure
timely supply of inputs such as certified seeds, fertilisers
etc.
 Diversification
of Agriculture:
To
diversify the cropping pattern, efforts have been made to
divert areas to a variety of crops like sugarcane, maize,
soyabean and agro forestry.
Bee-Keeping
A district Plan Scheme through the Chief Agricultural Officers
is in operation in the Punjab State. Under this scheme Beehives,
Boxes and other equipment are given on subsidized rates to
the small, marginal and land-less farmers who opt for Bee
keeping. In addition to this Punjab Agro Industries Corp.
in collaboration with Natural Honey Bee Products Ltd., is
also providing loans through the banks to the farmers for
bee keeping . The number of beekeepers and production of honey
during the last five years are given as under:-
| No.
of Beekeepers |
No.
of Beehives |
Production
of honey (M.T.) |
| 9180 |
78345 |
919 |
| 10320 |
84045 |
924 |
| 6969 |
50027 |
1000 |
| 8539 |
57677
|
1083 |
| 9541 |
105299 |
2049 |
| 8104 |
88606 |
1642 |
| 9144 |
101890 |
2250 |
There
is no problem of marketing for honey in the Punjab state.
There are about fifteen commercial beekeepers who supply beas
and boxes in the Punjab State.
Floriculture
 In
1993-94, around 5.50 lac bulbs of gladiolus were procured
from Sikkim/Kalimpong and supplied to the farmers in Punjab
on no profit no loss basis. During 1994-95, 8.50 lac gladiolus
bulbs of latest varieties were imported from Holland & supplied
to farmers. The floriculture activity in the state has been
given a fillip by Punjab Agro by supplying around 30 lacs
gladiolus bulbs to the farmers. To propagate new gladiolus
varieties/fruits for trials and also to give proper training
and demonstration to the prospective farmers, a floriculture
centre is being set up at village Majra with financial assistance
from the Government of India..
Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC) has set up a floriculture
project in joint sector near Lalru under the name and style
of M/s Punjab Blossoms Limited with a capital outlay of Rs.
303 lacs. Another floriculture project has come in public
sector under the name Toubro Industries Limited near Dappar,
District Patiala. State offers tremendous prospects for floriculture
and entrepreneurs desirous of taking up this activity may
get in touch with PAIC
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Bread-basket
of India
Revolution
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