PUNJAB’S agricultural growth rate will be increased from two per cent to four per cent and the state government has allocated Rs 100 crore for development of horticulture. This was announced here on Tuesday by the state finance minister S Manpreet Singh Badal. He was inaugurating a one-day Kisan Mela organised by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). He cautioned the farmers against the use of agricultural loans for unproductive purposes. Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan thronged the mela at Bathinda. The theme of the Kisan Mela was “Save Environment – Save Punjab”. PAU vice-chancellor Dr M S Kang exhorted the farmers to increase area under horticultural crops and to take marketing of produce in their own hands in order to boost income. He emphasised on developing a holistic approach to tackle the problem of the mealy bug. He also called for adopting of drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation techniques in the area in order to save water. “Preservation of natural resources is imperative for the development of sustainable agriculture in the state,” he added. The vice-chancellor also emphasised on increasing the participation of women in agricultural operations. The director of extension education in PAU, Dr N S Malhi, while highlighting the extension activities of the university emphasised on adoption of the university’s recommendations in letter and spirit.