PAU is the first agricultural University in the country to initiate the concept of Kisan melas. This activity was started in 1967. These Melas are regularly held twice a year at Ludhiana in March and September. On this occasion, besides field demonstrations, an agro-industrial exhibition is also put up and farm produce competitions are held. Now regional fairs are also being organised twice a year before the sowing of Rabi and Kharif crops. This is done to cater to the needs of the farmers of the sub-mountain zone (at Gurdaspur), rainfed zone (At Ballowal Saunkhri, Nawanshahar), south-western zone (at Bathinda) and central plain zone (at Patiala). Kisan Melas at PAU campus attract around 0.1 million farmers every session. At the March Kisan Melas, two Chief Minister's Awards are given to the progressive farmers, one each in horticulture and agriculture. Each Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 25,000. Besides these awards, following awards are given to innovative farmers of the state during September Kisan Mela:

Awarded in September:

• ⇒ Dalip Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Award to best self cultivating farmer of field crops. It carries a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 a citation and a plaque.
• ⇒ Parwasi Bharti Award to self cultivating farmer in diversified farming system. The Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 8,000 a citation and a plaque.
• ⇒ Ujagar Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Prize to best vegetable grower in summer and winter. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 3100, a citation and a plaque.
• ⇒ Surjit Singh Dhillon Award to a small farmer (upto 5 acre land holding). It carries a cash prize of Rs. 5000.
• ⇒ Sardarni Jagbir Kaur Grewal Memorial Innovative Woman Farmer Award for farm women involved in agriculture. It carries a cash prize of Rs. 3100.
• ⇒ Bhai Babu Singh Brar Best Pond Award. The pond should be in an area of 2 kanal and 4 feet deep. It carries a cash prize of Rs 20,000.

Awarded in March:

• ⇒ CRI Pump Award for water management
• ⇒ CRI Pump Award for organic farming
• ⇒ CRI Pump Award for farm mechanization
• ⇒ The CRI Pump awards carry a cash prize of Rs 10,000
• ⇒ Sardarni Parkash Kaur Sra Memorial Award for Agriculture carrying a cash prize of Rs. 5000