Mohali, December 28-   Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today visited the site of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Chapparchiri to review the arrangements for holding the first Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit from February 16-19, 2014.

          Chairing a meeting of the various departments on the occasion, the Chief Minister asked them to ensure that proper arrangements were made for this summit in which more than 15000 progressive farmers, agriculture experts and representatives of various companies related with the field of agriculture were scheduled to take part. He said that the main aim of the summit was to give further boost to the agriculture in the state. Mr. Badal said that as farming was no longer a profitable preposition so emphasis would be laid on making the farmers aware about the diversification of crops. He also directed the officers to install big exhibitions so that the farmers could get knowledge about the new technology in agricultural implements.

          The Chief Minister also asked the officers to make adequate arrangements for the boarding and lodging of the farmers participating in this summit, so that they do not have to face any sort of problem. He asked them to get the suggestions of the farmers during the number of sessions to be held during the summit. Mr. Badal said that the approach must be that this session should emerge as a stepping stone for the development of agriculture sector and thrust should be laid on the development of Dairy and other allied sectors also.     

          The Chief Minster was accompanied by Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar, his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Secretary Agriculture Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary Mandi Board Mr. Deepinder Singh and Deputy Commissioner Mr. TPS Sidhu.