FARM ADVISORY SERVICE CENTRE, SANGRUR PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN FARMER’S SUCCESS,
SAYS DR.ASHOK KUMAR GARG
Naresh Kumar/Sangrur
On the first day of the Kisan Mela at PAU, Ludhiana, the Chief Minister, Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, honoured progressive and scientific farmer Jaswant Singh with the “Chief Minister Award–2026” for his outstanding contribution as a self-cultivating farmer in field crops in Punjab.
The Vice Chancellor of PAU Ludhiana, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, and the Director of Extension Education, Dr. Makkhan Singh Bhullar, congratulated the Farm Advisory Service Centre, Sangrur, and Jaswant Singh, describing the achievement as a matter of great pride for Sangrur district.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Garg, Incharge and Senior Extension Scientist at the Farm Advisory Service Centre, Sangrur, stated that Jaswant Singh (43), son of Baldev Singh, is a progressive and scientifically minded farmer from village Bhundar Bhaini in Sangrur district. After completing his education up to the 10th standard, he has successfully managed crop production and allied agricultural activities on 8 acres of owned land, along with 7 acres taken on lease.
Being conscious of the conservation of natural resources, Jaswant Singh adopted PAU-recommended practices, including sowing wheat without burning stubble and creating small field plots to conserve water. He has regularly conducted soil testing for each of his fields and improved soil fertility by applying well-decomposed farmyard manure. He has consistently preferred water-saving paddy varieties such as PR 126 and Pusa Basmati 1121.
On the advice of Dr. Ashok, he started onion cultivation and, with regular field guidance, produced 440 quintals of onions from 2 acres. He also participated in a “Fruit and Vegetable Workshop” at PAU Ludhiana on January 28, 2025, through the Farm Advisory Service Centre, Sangrur, where he interacted with scientists and experts and also experimented with ridge gourd cultivation.
He was also inducted as a member of PAU’s “Fruit and Vegetable Production Committee.” In 2025, he cultivated cucumber on 2 acres using bed and mulch techniques for the first time, achieving a yield of 245 quintals per acre. With the support of the Farm Advisory Service Centre, Sangrur, he also initiated capsicum cultivation using the low tunnel method in 2025. Additionally, he cultivated garlic on one acre using paddy straw mulch.