Visits to Punjab Farms and PAU and Action Items

Dear Pagri supporters and well-wishers,
 
Summary
 
We have made much progress in the last quarter. We are getting better at defining and undertaking meaningful activities in Punjab, both in terms of transformation of agriculture towards better practices and in helping small farmers with organic and integrated farming.

One of the things that we have learned is that we need better and regular reporting by our project leaders from Punjab. We will be transitioning to that in the near future – this will help us bring more specifics to you regularly.

Here's a summary list of what we have achieved:
1.     We have a better version of our website up and running with good basic information that will be in parallel with what is posted on Dasvandh www.pagri.org
2.     Earlier, we had posted our first every Newsletter using Mailchimp that was included in our last update. This had included our tentative plan for the year.
3.     Earlier our President, Lal Singh, had also visited Punjab and held a couple of very meaningful meetings with farmers and supporting organizations.
4.     Then recently, our secretary, Harinder Singh Lamba, from the US visited farms and farmers in Punjab in March to get to know them better and to have a better understanding of the activities we are doing and the ones we need to do.

Description of Visit to Punjab and Proposed Actions

Here’s a summary of proposed new actions and a description of the visit by our secretary to Punjab.

Based on my trip to Punjab (March 4-8, 2023), the following plan has been proposed. Based on detailed notes that I took, I will also publish a full description of my visits to make sure I pass on the education I received and important information for others.

TOP LEVEL ACTIONS (More actions are proposed in the Projects)
1.     Faridkot: It appears that the best increase in incomes would be achieved by Free Ranging Organic Desi Chickens by selling their eggs. These Desi chickens are very robust, integrate well with an organic farm in terms of mostly eating insects and green materials, providing organic fertilizer through their droppings, and in a small area generate the most income – the free ranging Desi eggs are in high demand and command a premium price. Broiler chickens are generally less robust, need special feed from companies and need anti-biotics and mor medical care – their eggs are less in demand. We will begin this with 2-4 farmers and expand as we learn.
2.     Punjab Agricultural University (PAU): Here we can learn through training from both the departments of Organic/Integrated Farming and that of Fruit Sciences (Horticulture), and by getting subsidized Desi chicks and fruit trees. Our two project leaders have been connected and will need to follow up.
3.     Gurdaspur: Here we need to continue extension for good agriculture practices (that use less water, less tillage, less fertilizer and pesticides, and are lower cost). To this needs to be added food processing and fruit processing activities. This activity is more geared for transformative practices and are good for all sizes of farmers. Also, food processing can be added for the new FPO, “Batala Foods”.

Here is a description of the Action Items regarding PAU.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana – Action Items
 
In a meeting with Vice Chancellor Dr. Gosal (arranged by Dr. Milkha Singh Aulakh), he clearly stated that since PAGRI is as a foreign registered organization, PAU cannot sign an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with us, and since they are not FCRA (Foreign Contributions Regulation Act) approved, they cannot channel funds for us. Once we have an organization registered in India, they can fully cooperate. Thanks to Dr. Aulakh, we visited with Dr. Walia (Director Organic and Integrated Farming – at his office and on their 2.5-acre demonstration plot) and Dr. Harminder Singh (Director Fruit Sciences or Horticulture – on their plot).

The following activities should be pursued by our project leaders in Punjab as follows:
1.     Training for farmers (free at PAU and Rs. 300 per group at their site – the latter should be immediately pursued as it makes the farmers eligible for subsidies).  
2.     Supply of Desi Chicks and fruit trees and at a discounted rate
3.     Extension work by PAU personnel on the farms of our farmers for the two above areas – Faridkot and Gurdaspur.