Tour to Solang valley, Koksar and Manali (29 April 2022 to 03 May 2022)

Faculty of Agriculture, Baba Farid College Bathinda organized Tour to Solang valley, Kullu, Manali, Koksar, Atal Tunnel & near places of Himachal Pradesh from 29 April 2022 to 03 May 2022 for the students of B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture First Year, Second year and 3rd Year. Such types of tour are regularly organized to explore various places and sites for the purpose of enjoyment and knowledge enhancement.

There were total 93 students in which 13 students from B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture first year and 22 students from second year and 58 from third year with 5 faculty members. First day, they visited Hadimba temple and Club house. In the evening they visited Mall Road of Manali. Second Day, students have spent joyful moments in snow at Koksar and leh-manali highway. During evening time students visited to Solang Valley. Besides this, students have done adventurous activities like paragliding, Ropeway, Zip lining, Valley crossing etc.

Third day they visited old Manali market and they enjoyed the unforgettable scenes of Manali. While returning, in Kullu students have done Rafting. Along with this, students also came across many attractions on the way. Students experienced abundance of science beauty, temples and a lot of adventure activities for visitors. Overall, it was a great tour for students. Principal, Baba Farid College, appreciated the effort done by department of agriculture.

Expert talk on "Purity of Seed" on April 27th 2022

A Seminar was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, BFC in collaboration with MoU Organisation on April 27th 2022 with an objective to Generate new knowledge that would help them to provide genetically pure and good quality seeds. Dr. Allah Rang, HOD (Retd.) Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana & presently Managing Director, Biocarve Seeds from where he is exporting a large quantity of flower seeds to American and European countries since 2008. He interacted with 6 faculty members & total 100 students of B. Sc. Hons Agriculture. Dr. Rang told the students that the production of high-quality seed is fundamental necessity for modern agriculture. Seeds can serve as the delivery system not only for improved genotypes but also for new sowing and production methods and crop protection strategies that improve the overall efficiency of agriculture and reduce its environmental vagaries. He said that Genetic purity standards are established by seed certification laws and state seed certification agencies to assure growers that the seed they buying were accurately labeled with the correct crop and variety. Seed purity standards also specify the percentage of contamination in seeds. He explained that seed producers take many steps to protect genetic integrity, including ensuring the integrity of their planting seed, properly identifying and labeling plants and fields, sowing seeds on clean land. Removing undesirable plants and employing physical isolation via mesh cages, distance isolation, hand pollination to ensure that pollination only occurs among plants of the desired variety, he told.

Dr Surbhi Sharma HOD (Department of Agriculture) and Dr Poonam Burman (Associate Professor) presented vote of Thanks in the end of the session.

Seminar on "A Student-Alumni Interaction Program" on April 26th 2022

A Student-Alumni interaction "B.Sc. Agriculture- Scope and career opportunities" was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, BFC on April 26th 2022 with an aim to provide the knowledge to the participants regarding profiles Agriculture field officer, Farm Manager, Plantation Manager, Research officer, Agriculture Development officer etc. The resource person Mr. Parampal Sharma chaired the session. He was welcomed by Associate Professor, Dr Poonam Burman. She also co-chaired the seminar. Total 100 students of B.Sc Agriculture (Hons) 4th Sem and 6 faculty members of agriculture attended this seminar. Mr. Parampal Sharma completed his B.Sc. Agriculture 4yr (Batch 2014-2018) from Baba Farid College. In the Alumni interaction program, Mr. Parampal Sharma advised the students that after doing B.Sc Agriculture (Hons) they could opt variety of vacancies in the Government section after qualify for certain competitive exams like UPSC-IFSC (Indian Forest Services) Exam, IBPS SO Exam, State Forest Exam, UGC-NET Exam, NABARD Grade A Exam. He also discussed the detailed most popular bank jobs after B.Sc Agriculture are Specialist officer (Agricultural Field Officer), Junior Agricultural Associate, Rural Development Officer, Field Officer, Agricultural Officer, Probationary Officer etc. Mr. Parampal Sharma shared his contact information with the students and motivated them to start their preparation for further competitive exams. He also offered her assistance if students wanted any help from him.

At the end of the session, Dr. Surbhi Sharma, HOD (Agriculture Department) presented vote of thanks to Mr. Parampal Sharma.

Expert talk on "An overview of FSSAI and latest amendments" on April 18th 2022

A Seminar was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, BFC in collaboration with MoU Organisation on April 18th 2022 with an objective to generate new knowledge that would help in continuously updating and upgrading food safety standards that are compatible with international organizations and carry out evidence-based studies for improving or building Rules and regulations. Dr. Yashi Srivastava chaired the session. She was welcomed by Dr Surbhi Sharma, HOD (Faculty of Agriculture) and Dr Poonam Burman, Associate Professor (Plant Pathology). Total 100 Students of B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture 2nd sem and 6 faculty members of Agriculture attended this seminar. At present Dr. Yashi Srivastava working as Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Agriculture, School of Basic and Applied Science, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. In the seminar, Dr. Yashi Srivastava informed the basic information with the participants regarding Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and latest amendments. Dr. Yashi also shared the history of FSSI that it is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Rajesh Bhusan is the current chairperson for FSSAI and Shri Arun Singhal is the current chief executive officer for FSSAI. Dr. Yashi informed various functions related to the quality and standards of food and drinks, FSS Act and amendments in detail for the development of standards is a dynamic process based on the latest developments in food science, food consumption pattern, new food products, and additives, changes in the processing technology leading to changed specifications, advancements in food analytical methods, and identification of new risks or other regulatory options. Dr Wineet Chawla HOD (Department of Agriculture) and Dr Poonam Burman (Associate Professor) presented vote of Thanks in the end of the session.

Faculty Development Programme on "Enhancing the ability of Quality Writing of Research Project and High Impact Publication" on 11-17 April, 2022

One week Faculty Development Programme on "Enhancing the ability of Quality Writing of Research Project and High Impact Publication" from 11-17 April, 2022, was organized by Faculty of Agriculture in collaboration with Just Agriculture-The magazine. A total of 109 faculty members and research scholars were registered and participated in the FDP. The basic aim of this FDP was to enhance the ability of quality writing of research/review papers with enhancement of project writing skill development. On 11, April 2022, inaugural session of the FDP was started at 4:30 pm. The guest speaker of the session, Dr. Nivedita Sharma, shared the basic information of paper writing, the importance of the literature review before writing, the importance of citing the valuable research in the concern area and the use of advance search option available online. The guest speaker of the second day session was Dr. Sanjay Swami. He gave the lecture on importance of literature review in formulating the Research problem. The guest speaker of the third day session was Dr. Madhavan K., he gave the lecture on the importance and use of digital tools in research paper writing. At fourth day session, Dr. Simerjit Kaur gave the lecture on ethics in research writing, the responsibility of the authors in reviewing the others work. The guest speaker of the fifth session was Dr. Satnam Singh. He gave the lecture on how to design a winning research proposal and shared valuable tips to design a proposal, different aspects should be covered when writing a proposal, different funding agencies and their basic requirements and also some of the factors which may leads to loss of the proposal. He emphasized on the brainstorming and group discussion among the faculty for the generation of quality material. On sixth day, Dr. Rajput gave the lecture on the use of basic software R in various research areas. He described how we can download and install the R software, the various factors involved in analysis and he performed several analysis like mean, variance, correlation, regression through working examples. The guest speaker of the seventh day session was Dr. R.K. Trivedy, he gave the lecture on the skill of paper writing, where the emphasis should be given at the time of writing and how to approach a good quality journal. He also shared the information regarding the submission procedures.

Expert talk on "Career guidance for students after B.Sc.Hons. Agriculture" on April 13th 2022

To motivate the 1st year and 2nd year student and to make the aware for different job opportunities after the degree of B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture The Lecture was organized by the Training & Placement team of Faculty of Agriculture, BFC a on April 13th 2022 with an aim to provide the guidance to the students regarding their career after B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture.

Dr. DPS Badwal chaired the session. He was welcomed by Dr Samanpreet Singh Khokhar, Assistant Professor. He also co-chaired the lecture. Total 150 Students of B.Sc. Hons Agriculture and 3 faculty members of Department of agriculture attended this seminar. In the seminar, Dr. DPS Badwal shared the experience regarding his journey towards the achievement of the position as CEO in Just Agriculture magazine.

He explained in detail the information about the following jobs and exams:

• Central Government job
• Specialist officer
• Researcher
• AFO
• A forest officers
• State government job
• Agriculture junior engineer
• Agriculture graduate trainer
• Rural development officer
• Junior agriculture associate
• Competitive exam
• forest IFS (UPSE)
• Staff selection commission (SSC)
• IBPS specialist officer (AO)
• Food corporation of India (FCI)
• National dairy development board

He also told about scope for boys in private companies. He told that private companies mostly hire male candidates. He told that after B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture the students could go for M.Sc. and Ph.D. in different fields of agriculture like Agronomy, Soil Science, Entomology, Pathology, Economics, Extension, Horticulture etc.. Again Dr. Badwal told that the students could also do MBA in agribusiness. There are 3 main posts from MBA agribusiness that is HR, finance, marketing. HR and finance is good for girls and marketing is good for boys. He also told the difference between business or entrepreneurship; in business we follow the old idea and continue that cycle but in entrepreneurship, an entrepreneur applying some new idea or technology in the old product develops a new product. He also told about the scope of agriculture in abroad. The lecture was highly effective for the students to get updated information about scope in agriculture as entrepreneurship and also about agriculture related job opportunities like Agriculture Development Officer, Horticulture Development officer etc Dr Samanpreet Singh Khokhar presented vote of Thanks in the end of the session. Dr. DPS Badwal was honoured by Dr. Wineet Chawla HOD of Agriculture Department technology in the old product develops a new product. He also told about the scope of agriculture in abroad. The lecture was highly effective for the students to get updated information about scope in agriculture as entrepreneurship and also about agriculture related job opportunities like Agriculture Development Officer, Horticulture Development officer etc Dr Samanpreet Singh Khokhar presented vote of Thanks in the end of the session. Dr. DPS Badwal was honoured by Dr. Wineet Chawla, HOD of Agriculture department.

Expert talk on "WORLD HEALTH DAY- (Our Planet, Our Health)" on April 08th 2022

A Seminar was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, BFC in collaboration with Career Counselling on April 08th 2022 with an aim to spread awareness about to focus global attention on urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being. Dr. Anupama Singla, Dr. Simranjeet Singh and Dr. Parminder Bedi chaired the session. They were welcomed by Dr Surbhi Sharma, HOD (Faculty of Agriculture) and Dr Poonam Burman, Associate Professor (Plant Pathology). Total 102 Students of B.Sc Agriculture (Hons) and 6 faculty members of Agriculture attended this seminar. At present Dr. (Mrs.) Anupama Singla (MD Homeopathy) Singla Homoeo clinic, Dr. Simranjeet Singh (BHMS) and Dr. Parminder Bedi (BHMS), practicing at Hargun Homoeo clinic, Bathinda. In the seminar, Dr Anupama Singla and Dr. Simranjeet Singh shared the basic information with the participants regarding World Health Day with theme "Our Planet, Our Health" that this day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other related organizations. The WHO organizes international, regional and local events on the Day related to a particular theme-Our Planet, Our Health. Dr. also shared that our political, social and commercial decisions are driving the climate and health crisis. Over 90% of people breathe unhealthy air resulting from burning of fossil fuels. Extreme weather events, land degradation and water scarcity are displacing people and affecting their health. Pollution and plastics are found at the bottom of our deepest oceans, the highest mountains, and have made their way into our food chain. Systems that produce highly processed, unhealthy foods and beverages are driving a wave of obesity, increasing cancer and heart disease while generating a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Dr Wineet Chawla HOD (Department of Agriculture) and Dr Poonam Burman (Associate Professor) presented vote of Thanks in the end of the session.

Expert talk on "A Road to Agri-Entrepreneur" on 30th March, 2022

It aims to provide the knowledge to the participants regarding the positive aspects as well the solution to the hurdles for becoming an entrepreneur. A Seminar was organized by the Skill Development team of Faculty of Agriculture, BFC along with School of Entrepreneurship, on March 30th 2022 with an aim to provide the knowledge to the participants regarding the prospective of becoming an entrepreneur and choosing organic farming as an option for business as well for providing knowledge of this topic and would resolve many queries of students at a practical level which would inspire them for choosing entrepreneurship as an option.

Mr. Tyagi chaired the session. He was welcomed by Dr Ankit Sharma, Assistant Professor. He also co-chaired the seminar. Total 45 Students of B.Sc Agriculture (Hons) and 4 faculty members of Department of agriculture attended this seminar. In the seminar, Mr. Ajay Tyagi shared the information regarding his journey towards entrepreneurship. He was working in an MNC till 2016, after that he decided that he wants to do something else and working for a company is not for him. He decided to open a dairy farm; however the family was not supportive of his decision. They wanted him to join the job back, whereas he took a stand for himself and started a business of organic farming. He said that back then there was no platform where you get all the required information regarding starting own business, so he used different platforms. He said that those clarify the farmers about marketing of their produce and aware them for certification of their organic produce. Apart from working with farmers and bringing them closer to the market, he is also practising farming & vermicomposting in 35 acres land in Meerut & Bulandshahr. He firmly believes that unless farmers get their products delivered directly to the end consumers, their economic status would never improve. He resolved various queries raised by the students regarding organic farming, its marketing and hurdles.

At the end he motivated the students that good food is very important for us and organic farming is a best business to be absorbed in. As agricultural students you have to find the ways to increase the awareness regarding organic food among the farmers and their families. Mr. Ajay Tyagi told students about his youtube channel "Karbanic Organic" and motivated them to work for the welfare of farmers. Dr Ankit Sharma presented vote of Thanks in the end of the session.

Seminar on "A Student-Alumni Interaction Program" on March 29th 2022

A Student-Alumni interaction "Job opportunities for agriculture graduates" was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, BFC on March 29th 2022 with an aim to provide the knowledge to the participants regarding profiles Agriculture officer, Farm Manager, Plantation Manager, Research officer, Agriculture Development officer etc. The resource person Ms. Bipanpreet Kaur chaired the session. She was welcomed by Associate Professor, Dr Poonam Burman. She also co-chaired the seminar. Total 104 students of B.Sc Agriculture (Hons) 2nd, 4th Sem and 6 faculty members of agriculture attended this seminar. Ms. Bipanpreet Kaur completed his B.Sc. Agriculture 4yr (Batch 2014-2018) from Baba Farid College and did his M.Sc Vegetable Science from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. In the Alumni interaction program, Ms. Bipanpreet Kaur advised the students that after doing B.Sc Agriculture (Hons) they could opt Government jobs like UPSC-IFSC (Indian Forest Services) Exam, IBPS SO Exam, State Forest Exam, UGC-NET Exam, NABARD Grade A Exam. Ms. Bipanpreet Kaur also discussed the detailed process of Banking and Insurance sector with lucrative high-paying opportunities for B.Sc Agriculture graduates like most popular bank jobs after B.Sc Agriculture are Specialist officer (Agricultural Field Officer), Junior Agricultural Associate, Rural Development Officer, Field Officer, Agricultural Officer, Probationary Officer etc. Ms. Bipanpreet Kaur shared her contact information with the students and motivated them to start their preparation for further competitive exams. She also offered her assistance if students wanted any help from her. At the end of the session, Dr. Surbhi Sharma, HOD (Agriculture Department) presented vote of thanks to Ms. Bipanpreet Kaur.

Expert talk on "Introduction to Bee Keeping" on March 24th 2022

A Seminar was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, BFC under Agrarian club, on March 24th 2022 with an aim to provide the knowledge to the participants regarding the prospective of choosing bee keping as an option for business as well for providing knowledge of this topic and would resolve many queries of students at a practical level which would support them in future in their academic or research career. Dr. Vinay Singh, Assistant Professor (Entomology) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda (Punjab), chaired the session. He has four year experience in extension. He had already given training to more than 800 farmers in beekeeping in Bathinda district. Total 108 Students of B.Sc Agriculture (Hons) and six faculty members of Faculty of agriculture attended this seminar. He also introduced the students about the entrepreneurship in Apiculture. He informed the students that honey bees are special gift to mankind because beekeeping can be done for both their pollination services and their cherished products such as honey, beeswax, propolis, bee venom, etc. These products have their widespread use in different small and large scale industries in India. He explained that the agro-based activity is undertaken mostly in the rural areas to meet the food needs as well as the need for raw material for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Dr Vinay shared his contact information with the students and motivated them to start this business. He also offered his assistance if students wanted any help from him. Dr Surbhi (HOD) presented vote of Thanks in the end of the session.

"WORLD WATER DAY" - A Poster Competitionwith theme - "Groundwater: making the invisible visible" on 22nd March, 2022

Faculty of Agriculture, BFGI, in collaboration with NSS club organized a competition on World Water Day - Poster Competition with theme - "Groundwater: making the invisible visible".The theme was decided by UN-water at its 30th meeting in Rome last week.

It was proposed by International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC).World Water Day, celebrated annually on 22nd March, to spread awareness about conserving every drop of water. In this context, Agriculture Department invites the students toparticipate in this event.It aimed to focus attention on the global groundwater crisis.The main motive of celebrating World Water Day is to make the young generation aware or highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. This activity was organized by Dr Poonam Burman (Activity coordinator) under the guidance of Dr Surbhi Sharma(HOD)and was supervised by Dr. Tarun Goyal (Deputy Dean Agriculture), Dr Wineet Chawla (HOD) and Mr. Ramandeep Kumar (HOD). Total25 students participated in this competition. Dr Tejinder Singh (HOD, Department of Computer Science) was judgefor this competition. The first prize was bagged by Ramandeep Kaur (B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture), Muskaan (BCA), second prize by Snohil(BCA), Tushar (BCA) and third prize by Harsimran Singh (BCA), Komalpret Kaur (BCA) in this poster competition.

Training program through MoU Organisation in UPL (Jan 20, 2022 to March 20, 2022)

To develop marketing skills, communication skills and moreover interaction with farmers. The Training was organized by the Department of Agriculture, BFC in UPL, which is a multinational company having headquarter at Mumbai. It has annual turnover of over 12000 crore. The internship started from Jan 20, 2022 to March 20, 2022 with the aim to develop researchers and create new entrepreneurs in horticulture sector.

UPL (United Phosphorus Limited) is a agribusiness chemical industry founded on 29 May, 1969 at Mumbai, Maharastra, India. UPL is a producer of crop protection products, immediate, speciality chemicals and other industrial chemicals. It is amongst the top five post-patent agrochemical manufactures in the world. It offers wide range of products and has developed more than 100 insecticides, fumigants, rodenticides, fungicides and herbicides. It has subsidiary offices in Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Canada, Denmark, UK, Vietnam, Zambia etc. Along with crop protection products, UPL also manufactures Plant Growth Regulatory products. It has also captive power plant that has a generating capacity of 48.5MW.

The training was overall valuable for students. The students have come up with new marketing skills and technologies of production and marketing of agricultural produce, enhanced communication skills and interaction with various public and private sector farmers.

Training program through MoU Organisation in Verka Milk Plant, Bathinda

The Training was organized by the Department of Agriculture, BFC at Verka Milk Plant, Bathinda for one month. The internship started from Feb 8, to March 8, 2022; with an aim to develop researchers and create new entrepreneurs in milk processing sector.

Mr. Harinder Brar (General Manager, Verka Milk Plant, Bathinda) chaired the session. He was welcomed by Dr. Wineet Chawla, HOD (Department of Agriculture). Under "In-plant training", Mr Harinder Brar, General Manager, shared the information with the participants regarding processing technology of various milk products. He also added that Verka has consolidated its brand strength by not only retaining the high quality of existing products but also by innovating and bringing new products to the tables of its diverse customers including different variants of Pasteurized Packed milk, Ghee, Table Butter, Skimmed Milk Powder, Whole Milk Powder, Cheese, Sweetened Flavoured Milk, Ice Cream, Indigenous sweets, fresh Products like Lassi, Paneer, Dahi, Kheer and Tetra Pack Products such as fruit beverages & milk.

The training was overall valuable for students. Mr Brar students to study more about scope and importance of food processing so that they could get the vast knowledge of this subject. He also offered his assistance if students wanted any help from him. At the end of the training Dr.Wineet Chawla, HOD (Department of Agriculture) and Dr. Ankit Kumar, Assistant Professor (Department of Agriculture) presented vote of Thanks.

World Wetland Day - Poetry Competition with theme - "Wetlands Action for People and Nature" on 2nd February, 2022

On 2nd February, 2022, Agrarian Club, Department of Agriculture, Baba Farid College organized a competition on World Wetland Day - Poetry Competition with theme - "Wetlands Action for People and Nature". World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on 2 February, aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The main motives of celebrating World Wetlands Day is to make the young generation aware to invest financial, human and political capital to save the world's wetlands from disappearing and to restore those we have degraded. This activity was organized by Dr Poonam Burman (Activity coordinator) under the guidance of Dr Surbhi Sharma (HOD) and was supervised by Dr. Tarun Goyal (Deputy Dean Agriculture), Dr Wineet Chawla (HOD) and Mr. Ramandeep Kumar (HOD). Total 15 students participated in this competition. Dr Deepika Bhatia (Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology) was judge of this competition. The first prize was bagged by Ganiv Brar (B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture), second prize by Gurpreet Singh (B.Sc. Hons. Agriculture) and third prize by Ishita (B.Com,) in this poetry competition.