The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur of Punjab Agricultural University conducted a five-day vocational training course on "Agro Processing Complex and Jaggery production" from 22 to 28 January 2025 under the aegis of the Director of Extension Education, PAU, Ludhiana and the Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone 1, Ludhiana in which 25 trainees from different villages participated.

While welcoming the participants, Dr Mandeep Singh highlighted the need and importance of processing agricultural produce to increase farmers' incomes. He exhorted the farmers to set up agro-processing complexes to add value to farm produce and gain economic benefits. He also informed them about various other training programmes and activities being conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra for the welfare of farming and rural communities.

Dr Sunil Kumar, Assistant Professor (FMPE), acted as coordinator of this training course and deliberated on the concept of agro-processing complex and the different processing machines a farmer can install in this complex.

Dr M S Alam, Senior Research Scientist (PFE), delivered a technical lecture on establishing a wheat flour mill, mini rice mill and baby oil expeller.

Dr Gulzar Singh Sanghera, Director, RRS, Kapurthala, shared in detail the role of PAU-recommended varieties and production practices for quality jaggery production.

Dr. Sandhya, Assistant Professor (PFE) shared the processing practices for oilseeds while Dr. Rukinder Preet Singh Dhaliwal, Assistant Professor (Agronomy) detailed the farmers about cultivation practices of turmeric as per PAU reccomendations.

Dr Mahesh Kumar, Senior Scientist (PFE), delivered a detailed lecture on quality jaggery production and its proper storage. The jaggery production method was also discussed during the exposure visit to Chacha Bhatija Ghulad in the village of Babbanpur.

S. Atinderpal Singh, Village Kattu, District Barnala, shared in detail about turmeric cultivation and processing practices during farmers' exposure visit to his "Samra Turmeric Processing Unit". He shed light on the whole process of turmeric processing, from harvesting and grading to packaging.

Another exposure visit to the Agro Processing Complex established by S. Harjit Singh at village Ghal Kalan, Distt. Moga was also conducted, where the trainees learnt tips on resolving practical problems while establishing their complexes and marketing value-added products.

S. Gurpreet Singh, DDM, NABARD, discussed various government financial schemes for new enterprises by agri-preneurs.