On the occasion of World Environment Day 7.06.2024, the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation, recognized the exceptional contributions of Sh. Gurpreet S. Shergill, a progressive farmer trained by PAU- Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Patiala.
Divulging details, Dr Gurupdesh Kaur, KVK Incharge and Assoc. Prof.(Home Science) informed that Mr Shergill, hailing from Village Majhal Khurd in Block Sanaur, District Patiala, was awarded under the Grassroots Innovators of Punjab (GRIP) programme for his development of the ‘Gladiolus Bulb Grader’, an innovative device in the form of a mechanical corm cleaner and grader features rotary sieves, is mounted on wheels, and is powered by a one-horsepower electric motor. It efficiently cleans and grades gladiolus corms and cormlets, processing up to 8 quintals per hour. The grader sorts the corms into four size categories: <5 cm, 5-8 cm, 8-12 cm, and >12 cm. The practical benefits of this innovation include more efficient grading compared to manual methods, significant labour and time savings, reduced damage to corms (less than 1%), and the mobility to be easily transported to different fields or sites.
She further elaborated that Mr Shergill’s contributions have been previously acknowledged by Punjab Agricultural University, honoring him with several awards, including the prestigious “Chief Minister’s Award” in horticulture during the state-level Kisan Mela in March 2011. Furthermore, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, has recognized his innovations with the “Jagjivan Ram Innovative Farmer Award (Zonal)-2012”, the NG Ranga Award (2014), and the IARI Fellow Award (2016).
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=9176
