Punjab Eyes Drone Seeding and Aquaculture from Kerala for Next-Gen Farming Reforms
Chandigarh/ Kottayam, April 29:
Punjab Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian visited ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kumarakom in Kottayam district of Kerala to explore collaboration opportunities in the field of agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry as part of an inter-state exchange program.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, along with the Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry Mr. Rahul Bhandari and other senior officials, engaged in discussions with the KVK officials, exploring the rich potential of Kumarakom in agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry. The region’s successful integration of fish farming, particularly cage culture and inland aquaculture, with agriculture impressed the visitors.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian applauded the innovative practices being used in integrated farming, organic cultivation, and eco-friendly tourism, which supports rural livelihoods. The Punjab delegation was particularly impressed with the use of drones for paddy seed broadcasting, a flagship initiative in Kumarakom. The delegation also commanded KVK Kottayam’s women empowerment programs, which have fostered strong community-based enterprises focused on value addition. They observed the KVK’s support in promoting value addition for fish, vegetables, fruits, and spices, as well as the establishment of organic manure, nutrient mixture, and bio-pesticide production units, which have strengthened the local agri-based economy. These initiatives not only improved farm incomes but also supported sustainable farming practices, the Agriculture Minister noted.
The high-level delegation also explored potential collaborations between Punjab and Kerala in fields including technology exchange, training programs, and joint research. The Kerala officials expressed keen interest in learning from Punjab’s advancements in mechanisation, high-yield crop varieties, and large-scale agricultural marketing.
Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Gursharan Singh Bedi said the visit marked a significant step towards building a collaborative framework between Punjab and Kerala for promoting sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and animal husbandry development.
