The PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur organized a short duration training programme to impart knowledge on the cultivation of organic vegetables. A total of 40 farmers /farm women from different villages of district Sangrur participated with full enthusiasm in the training programme, held under the aegis of Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University and ICAR-ATARI, Zone-1.

During the inaugural session, Dr Mandeep Singh, Associate Director (Training), extended a warm welcome to the participants and shared that the basic concept behind organic farming is to produce high quality food without compromising the soil health or the environment. He persuaded the trainees to adopt organic farming due to enhanced demand and prices of organically produced vegetables in the market, as these vegetables are enhanced with nutrients and safe for human consumption because of their less exposure to residue of in-organic pesticides.

Dr Manisha, Olericulturist, School of Organic Farming, deliberated on eco-friendly recommendations/technologies developed by PAU, Ludhiana for the production of chemical -free vegetables.

Dr Ravinder Kaur, Assistant Professor (Horticulture), discussed different high- yielding and disease resistant vegetable varieties developed by PAU, crop rotations, mulching techniques and biological control of insect -pest in different vegetables farming systems.

Dr AS Maan, Director, Udami Farmer Producer Organisation, Sangrur motivated farmers to adopt organic vegetable farming to ensure sustainability and profitability. In view of growing awareness of health and environment issues, he informed that organic products are gaining more importance day- by- day. He further stressed that organic farming nutrient management is of great importance as not only the soil fertility is maintained but it is further improved as well.

The progressive organic farmers S. Parmal Singh from village Ghabdan, S. Karmjit Singh from village Bhalwan, S. Rajpal Singh Village Chotian and Mr Sanjeev Village Sular Gharat shared their practical experiences with the trainees on vermicompost preparation, use of neem sprays, fruit fly trap and benefits of mulching in quality vegetable production during the training programme.