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Agro Universities

Increasing crop production without clearing new fields transforms Brazilian agriculture

A new study published in Nature Food by the University of Delaware quantifies for the first time the impact that double-cropping had on helping Brazil achieve its national grain boom.

Jing Gao, assistant professor of Geospatial Data Science in the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE) and Data Science Institute (DSI), was a co-author on the study that included collaborators from institutions in China and Brazil.

Gao contributed to the team efforts by examining agriculture census-related data gathered from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and identifying spatial patterns and changes that occurred over time in three key agricultural regions with regards to food production: the Centre-West, Southeast-South, and Matopiba regions in Brazil.

These three regions covered 36 per cent of Brazil’s territory and accounted for 79 per cent of the national soybean production and 85 per cent of the country’s corn production in 2016. The Centre-West area showed the biggest increases in production as well as cropland expansion.

The increase in grain production in the Centre-West can be attributed to cropland expansion as well as double-cropping.

Contributions from double-cropping in the Centre-West increased from 19 to 33 per cent from 2003 to 2016. While the increase in soybean production was largely due to cropland expansion- soybean fields account for more than one-third of Brazil’s cropland – the increase in corn production could be linked to the practice of double-cropping. In the Centre-West, the agricultural area for second season corn- or the corn grown after the first season soybean is harvested- increased from 26.3 to 66.6 per cent from 2003 to 2016, and in 2012, the second season corn crop surpassed the corn grown during the first season as the main source of corn nationwide.

The researchers also found that the strongest driver behind this rapid increase in grain production has been the rising demand for corn and soybean exports from Brazil on a global scale.

 

 

Increasing crop production without clearing new fields

Agrotech, Live Stock

US CattleTrace will assist animal health officials by responding to events of foreign animal disease

Cargill has joined US CattleTrace as an official packer member. Cargill is the second beef processor to invest in the effort formed by multiple state cattlemen’s organisations to develop a national infrastructure for animal disease traceability in the US cattle industry. US CattleTrace will assist animal health officials by responding to events of foreign animal disease within the US cattle herd to limit any impact to daily operations and help maintain access to important beef export markets.
 
Using ear tags and radiofrequency technologies, US CattleTrace collects critical data, including individual animal identification numbers as well as the date, time and GPS location of the animal. The programme utilises the collected data to track animals in the event of a disease outbreak, as well as track the animal from birth location to each location they travel to before reaching a processor for harvest.  An ear tag with an electronic chip interacts with the radio frequency emitted by the reader. Tags are electronic but not battery operated, meaning they can last the lifetime of the animal.
 
The new US CattleTrace initiative combines the efforts of CattleTrace, which included multiple partners from across the country, as well as traceability pilot projects in Florida and Texas. The partner organisations include the Kansas Livestock Association, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association.

“Reducing the impact of the disease is critical for the US Beef herd which is why we’re excited to join the US CattleTrace programme and champion its efforts to improve global competitiveness and food safety across the value chain,” said Jarrod Gillig, business operations and supply chain lead for Cargill’s North American protein business. “At Cargill, we’ve long been focussed on enhancing the traceability and resilience of our supply chains and believe our partnership with US CattleTrace can help move the industry forward.”

US CattleTrace will assist animal health officials

R&D

The agreement will look into licensing of fermentative processing technology of brewed vinegar production from sugarcane and fruits

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has recently entered into an agreement with a Nashik-based start-up Celebrating Farmers Edge International for licensing of fermentative processing technology ‘Brewed vinegar production from sugarcane and fruits. The pact was signed by Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, PAU, and Vipan Sareen, Director, Celebrating Farmers Edge International Private Limited, on the behalf of their respective organisations.

 

Dr GS Kocher, Principal Microbiologist-cum-Head, Department of Microbiology, said PAU has been actively engaged in research on fermented vinegar. “Several fermentation technologies on vinegar production from sugarcane, grapes, jamun and apple have been recommended and commercialised by PAU. The research focuses on increasing the use of fermented/natural vinegar prepared from traditional fruits that carry nutritional and therapeutic values besides the value addition of the horticultural produce,” he added.

 

Dr AS Dhatt, Additional Director of Research (Horticulture and Food Science), said there is a need to promote brewed vinegar among consumers as synthetic vinegar, which is though found in abundance in local markets, yet has health concerns with no nutritional value. He further informed that PAU has so far signed six Memoranda of Agreement for the commercialisation of brewed fruit vinegar technology.

 

Present on the occasion were, Dr Shammi Kapoor, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities; Dr Amarjit Kaur, Associate Director, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell, PAU; and DD Sarin; and Gurprem Singh.

 

The agreement will look into licensing of

AgroPolicy, Agrotech

Sixteen varieties of mangoes including three GI certified varieties sourced from West Bengal & Bihar being displayed in stores 

 

 

A week-long Indian mango promotion programme began in Bahrain  where 16 varieties of the fruit including three Geographical Indications (GI) certified Khirsapati & Lakshmanbhog (West Bengal), Zardalu (Bihar) are being displayed.

The varieties of mangoes are currently being sold through 13 stores of the group in Bahrain. The mangoes were sourced from farmers in Bengal and Bihar by APEDA registered exporter.

APEDA has been initiating measures to boost mango exports from the non-traditional regions and states. APEDA has been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festival to promote mango exports. It recently organised mango festival in Berlin, Germany.

In a bid to increase mangoes exports to South Korea, APEDA in collaboration with Indian embassy, Seoul and Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, last month organised a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet.

Due to the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, the export promotion programmes were not possible to be organized physically. APEDA took a lead to organize a virtual meet to provide a platform to the exporters and importers of mangoes from India and South Korea.

For the first time in this season, India has shipped a consignment of 2.5 Metric Tonne (MTs) of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Banganapalli & other variety Survarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna &Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh recently.

The mangoes exported to South Korea, were treated, cleaned & shipped from the APEDA assisted and registered pack house & vapor heat treatment facility at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and exported by IFFCO Kisan SEZ (IKSEZ).

Mangoes are processed by the APEDA registered pack house facilities and then exported to various regions and countries including the Middle East, European Union, USA, Japan and South Korea.

 

Sixteen varieties of mangoes including three GI

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Transportation

IFFCO to set up Nano Urea production plant in Karnataka soon 

 

 Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda flagged off Nano Urea dispatch to Karnataka. The minister also promised IFFCO to award land to start a Nano Urea production unit near Bangalore Airport.

“It is a momentous occasion for India where IFFCO is working towards realizing Prime Minister’s dream of Aatmnirbhar Bharat and Aatmnirbhar Krishi. We will give you a site (land) near airport in Bangalore from where IFFCO can produce Nano Urea from Karnataka,” Gowda said while flagging off NanoUrea dispatch to Karnataka.

Earlier IFFCO had requested Gowda to award land for a plant in Karnataka where Nano Urea and Nano DAP could be produced for the Southern parts of India.

Dr U S Awasthi, Managing Director IFFCO said the Kalol plant is dispatching one truck with 15000 bottles of Nano Urea per day and soon the plant would dispatch 10 trucks every day. He said that the Kalol plant is producing 6750 tonne equivalent of urea per day, which would result in saving Rs 35,000 crore of Government’s subsidy burden and would help farmers earn additional Rs 35000 crore. The plan has started trails of producing Nano Urea and Nano DAP from this Kharif crop and IFFCO is very hopeful of the success. Post which the plant would produce both Nano Urea and Nano DAP, said Awasthi.

IFFCO had earlier dispatched Nano Urea shipments to the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The stocks were sold within half an hour. IFFCO is already in the process of construction of its plants at its Kalol unit in Gujarat and also at Aonla and Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh in Phase- I by year 2021-22. The total annual production capacity would be initially 14 crore bottles of 500 ml, which will further be raised to 18 Crore.  

 

IFFCO to set up Nano Urea production

Agrotech, Dairy

GCMMF Managing Director R S Sodhi has accepted the award in recognition of enhanced productivity and efficient milk supply chain. 

  Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) ,AMUL has announced that it has received Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Tokyo, Japan regional award in recognition of enhanced productivity and efficient milk supply chain. GCMMF Managing Director R S Sodhi has accepted the award on behalf of 3.6 million milk producers of Gujarat.

Sodhi is the first Indian to have received the prestigious award, in the last 20 years. GCMMF is the largest food product organisation of India and achieved a group sales turnover of Rs 53,000 crore (USD 7.3 billion) during the last financial year and aimed to achieved Rs 1, 00,000 crores (USD 14 billion) in the next five year.

The Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organization (APO), is an inter-governmental body of which the Government of India is a founder member. The APO invites nominations from National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) of member countries and the regional awards are conferred every five years and each country can nominate only one candidate out of the all nominations.

GCMMF Managing Director R S Sodhi has

AgroPolicy, Machinery - Pre-harvesting

Agricultural mechanisation is one of the key drivers for the sustainable development of the agriculture sector

Government of India has released funds for various activities of farm mechanisation like the establishment of custom hiring centres, farm machinery bank, high-tech hubs and distribution of various agricultural machinery etc to different states. This move will empower the farmers through sub-mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme.

Agricultural mechanisation plays a vital role in optimising the use of land, water energy resources, manpower and other inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc to maximise the productivity of the available cultivable area and make agriculture more profitable and attractive profession for rural youth. Agricultural mechanisation is one of the key drivers for the sustainable development of the agriculture sector. Sustainable agriculture mechanisation growth will require appropriate and precision agricultural machinery adequately supported by the latest technology.

During the period from 2014-15 to 2020-21, an amount of Rs 621.23 crore have been released to Andhra Pradesh by DAC&FW and during 2021-22 Rs 32.93 released crore as 1st instalment under SMAM for the establishment of 525 Custom Hiring centres and 34 High Tech Hubs.

During 2021-22 Rs 21.74 crore have been released to Tamil Nadu as 1st instalment under SMAM for distribution of 269 agricultural machineries and equipment, for the establishment of 115 numbers of Custom Hiring centres, 10 Hi-Tech hubs and 100 farm Machinery banks at village level.

During the period from 2014-15 to 2020-21, an amount of Rs 36.36 crore have been released to Arunachal Pradesh. During 2021-22 released Rs.3.66 crore as 1st instalment under SMAM for distribution of 6045 numbers of various machines and equipment to the farmers on subsidy.

During the period from 2014-15 to 2020-21, an amount of Rs 61.05 crore have been released to Manipur by DAC&FW and during 2021-22, released Rs 2.27 crore as 1st instalment under SMAM for the establishment of 18 Farm machinery Banks at village level.

During the period from 2014-15 to 2020-21, an amount of Rs 294.74 crore have been released to Uttar Pradesh by DAC&FW and during 2021-22 released Rs 22.12 crore as 1st instalment under SMAM for establishment 290 Custom Hiring Centres and 290 Farm machinery Banks at village level.

During 2021-22 Rs 10.53 crore released to Uttrakhand as 1st instalment under SMAM for distribution of 1685 numbers of various machines and equipment to the farmers on subsidy, establishment of 6 Custom Hiring Centres and 35 Farm machinery Banks at village level.

Agricultural mechanisation is one of the key

Dairy, Packaging & Labelling

MDFVPL has introduced paper trays for curd cups as a replacement of plastic trays 

Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd. (MDFVPL), country’s leading milk and milk products major, has reiterated its commitment towards a cleaner environment; and announced that is has collected & recycled/coprocessed 7,284 MT of post-consumer used plastic waste in the country till March 2021. The overall volume includes both Multi-Layered Plastic (MLP) and Single Layered Plastic (SLP) waste.

MDFVPL has initiated a research program on eco-friendly packaging and has introduced paper trays for curd cups as a replacement of plastic trays which will eliminate usage of approx. 100 MT of plastic. The Company has replaced all plastic spoons with wooden spoons and eliminated plastic straws provided along with a few dairy products.

Elaborating on the initiative, Manish Bandlish, Managing Director, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd. said, “MDFVPL is a responsible organization and we feel it’s our duty to contribute towards a cleaner environment as well as to create awareness. We are the first company amongst the Indian dairy co-operatives to acquire registration under Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as well as implementing EPR. Our efforts have always been aligned towards a holistic approach of collecting and recycling/co-processing of post-consumer used SLP and MLP waste. The Company stands committed to prolong these efforts and strengthen the momentum going ahead. 

MDFVPL started its plastic waste collection and recycling/co-processing initiative in Maharashtra in FY2018-19 under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program and scaled up the initiative on pan-India level for MLP in FY2019-20. The Company has been closely working with leading Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) for implementation of the program.

 

MDFVPL has introduced paper trays for curd

Packaging & Labelling, World

New joint venture unveils QIRA, a bio-based 1,4-butanediol (BDO) that saves up to 93 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions

Cargill and HELM are entering into a joint venture to help leading brands replace fossil-based chemistries with bio-based intermediates, enabling them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the agreement, both companies are investing a combined $300 million to build the first commercial-scale, renewable BDO facility in the US Bio-based intermediates give the apparel, automotive, electronics and packaging industries the ability to improve their environmental footprint without sacrificing product performance or altering their existing downstream manufacturing processes.

Jill Zullo, Vice President, Biointermediates/Bioindustrial, Cargill said, “This new venture combines Cargill’s end-to-end supply chain and long-standing, successful product commercialisation in several bio-industrial markets with HELM’s expertise in effectively bringing unique chemical applications and other creative solutions to life and the market.”

The Qore joint venture will focus on producing QIRA, the next-generation 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Made biologically through the fermentation of plant-based sugars, QIRA can save up to 93 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions when replacing today’s widely used chemical intermediates made from traditional fossil sources. QIRA can be used the same way as its chemical counterpart but with significantly better environmental performance.

“For HELM Chemicals, this joint venture marks an important milestone in our commitment to providing solutions for a successful transformation to a sustainable planet and society. Through partnership and collaboration with brand owners and their suppliers, we will bring sustainable product options to these consumer-driven industries that will not only help them differentiate their brands but also create a more environmentally responsible future,” said Axel Viering, Member of the Executive Board for Business Line Chemicals, HELM.

Cargill and HELM plan to build the bio-based intermediate production facility at Cargill’s existing biotechnology campus and corn refining operation in Eddyville, Iowa. The plant will be completed and operating in 2024 to meet the demanding specification of product supply chains.
Qore has licensed Genomatica’s BDO process technology and is using Cargill’s global feedstock supply and fermentation manufacturing expertise to initially produce and distribute an expected 65,000 metric tonne per year minimally of its first bio-intermediate, QIRA. HELM will work with brand owners, original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers to incorporate QIRA into their respective products.

New joint venture unveils QIRA, a bio-based

Agrotech, World

Farmers, advisors can assess machinery performance, along with crop and field conditions

BASF Digital Farming has introduced xarvio CONNECT – a new portable hardware device that supports the fast, secure and seamless exchange of data between xarvio FIELD MANAGER and machinery terminals. The innovative solution is being trialled with selected farmers across Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine and the UK.

xarvio CONNECT uses a SIM card and mobile phone network to create a closed chain of communication with xarvio FIELD MANAGER. Farmers can simply create an application task in xarvio FIELD MANAGER, such as planting or fertilising, then export it wirelessly to xarvio CONNECT.

Once in the field, xarvio CONNECT is plugged into the USB port of the machinery terminal and the task transfer process automatically begins. No ISOBUS or integration with CAN bus is needed. Transferred files are uploaded in just minutes and the application task can begin.

On completion of a task the as-applied maps are saved in xarvio CONNECT and can be shared wirelessly with xarvio FIELD MANAGER. This ensures tasks for selected fields and field zones are documented. Farmers and advisors can also use this information to assess machinery performance, along with crop and field conditions, which increases transparency and enhances overall quality control.

“Making farming more convenient and productive are key priorities. xarvio CONNECT helps us achieve this by pairing an innovative, portable hardware solution with our market-leading crop optimisation platform xarvio FIELD MANAGER. The new device saves farmers time while reducing the potential for error because machinery terminal integration is quick, simple and no USB stick is required,” says Denis Khomich, Digital Farming Engineering Manager, BASF Digital Farming.

Farmers, advisors can assess machinery performance, along

Agrotech

Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Per Olsson Fridh appoints Narain, who will look into the South Asian perspective with challenges to the environment, climate and bio-diversity

Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Per Olsson Fridh has appointed Sunita Narain – Environmentalist, Writer and Director General of The Centre for Science & Environment & Editor of Down to Earth Magazine – to an international advisory group for action on the environment, climate and biodiversity launched in connection with World Environment Day. 

 

Molin said, “I am happy that Narain of Centre for Science and Environment has been appointed to the Minister’s international advisory group for the environment, climate and biodiversity. Narain’s broad and relevant experience also includes a South Asian perspective with its many challenges.”

 

Narain said, “COVID-19 and climate change both teach us that the world is interdependent and we need global cooperation to find solutions that are equitable and transformative. By setting up this advisory group, the Swedish government has once again shown its willingness to engage with diverse voices to find solutions that will work for all. I am delighted to be part of the effort and will look forward to its deliberations.”

 

Other members of the group include Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, climate activist and founder of Klima Action Malaysia; Wanjira Mathai, Regional Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute think tank; Ulrika Modéer, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the United Nations Development Programme’s Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy, former State Secretary at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Olof Skoog, Head of the European Union delegation to the United Nations in New York, Swedish diplomat; and Peter Winsor, Professor of Oceanography and Director of the World Wildlife Fund’s Arctic Programme. 

Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Per

AgroPolicy, Trade

Organic exports registers growth of 50.94 per cent

Dr Anup Wadhawan, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India said that agriculture exports have performed well during 2020-21. He informed that after remaining stagnant for the past three years ($38.43 billion in 2017-18, $38.74 billion in 2018-19 and $35.16 billion 2019-20), the export of agriculture and allied products (including marine and plantation products) during 2020-21 jumped to $41.25 billion, indicating an increase of 17.34 per cent.

In INR terms, the increase is 22.62 per cent with exports during 2020-21 amounting to Rs 3.05 lakh crore as compared to Rs 2.49 lakh crore during 2019-20. India’s agricultural and allied imports during 2019-20 were $20.64 billion, and the corresponding figures for 2020-21 are $20.67 billion. Despite COVID-19, the balance of trade in agriculture has improved by 42.16 per cent from $14.51 billion to $20.58 billion.


For agriculture products (excluding marine and plantation products), the growth is 28.36 per cent with exports of $29.81 billion in 2020-21 as compared to $23.23 billion in 2019-20. India has been able to take advantage of the increased demand for staples during the COVID-19 period.

Huge growth has been seen in the export of cereals with the export of non-basmati rice growing by 136.04 per cent to $4794.54 million; wheat by 774.17 per cent to $549.16 million; and other cereals (Millets, Maize and other coarse gains) by 238.28 per cent to $694.14 million.

Other agricultural products, which registered a significant increase in exports, as compared to 2019-20, were oil meals ($1575.34 million -growth of 90.28 per cent), sugar ($2789.97 million – growth 41.88 per cent), raw cotton ($1897.20 million – growth 79.43 per cent), fresh vegetables ($721.47 million – growth 10.71 per cent) and vegetable oils ($ 602.77 million- growth 254.39 per cent) etc.

The largest markets for India’s agriculture products are the US, China, Bangladesh, the UAE, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran and Malaysia. Exports to most of these destinations have registered growth, with the highest growth being recorded for Indonesia (102.42 per cent), Bangladesh (95.93 per cent) and Nepal (50.49 per cent).

Export of spices like ginger, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, saffron etc., which have known therapeutic qualities, has also grown substantially. During 2020-21, export of pepper increased by 28.72 per cent to $1269.38 million; cinnamon by 64.47 per cent to $11.25 million; nutmeg, mace and cardamom by 132.03 per cent ($189.34 million vs $81.60 million); and ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves etc. by 35.44 per cent to $570.63 million. Export of spices touched the highest ever level of around $4 billion during 2020-21.

The organic exports during 2020-21 were USD1040 million as against $689 million in 2019-20, registering a growth of 50.94 per cent. Organic exports include oil cake/ meals, oilseeds, cereals and millets, spices and condiments, tea, medicinal plant products, dry fruits, sugar, pulses, coffee etc.

Exports have also taken place from several clusters for the first time. For instance, the export of fresh vegetables and mangoes from Varanasi and black rice from Chandauli has taken place for the first time, directly benefitting farmers of the area. Exports have also taken place from other clusters viz. oranges from Nagpur, banana from Theni and Ananthpur, mango from Lucknow etc.

Despite the pandemic, export of fresh horticulture produces took place by multimodal mode and consignments were shipped by air and sea to Dubai, London and other destinations from these areas. Cereal exports have done well during 2020-21.

Organic exports registers growth of 50.94 per

AgroPolicy

According to Motilal Oswal Financial Services, the rate will remain at 4.1 per cent YoY in FY22

The government has recently approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all 14 mandated Kharif crops for marketing season FY22. 

 

According to Ecoscope: The Economy Observer report and Motilal Oswal Financial Services, the production-weighted average MSP hike of all these 14 crops stood at 4.1 per cent YoY in FY22, similar to FY21, but higher than the 3 per cent YoY in FY20. 

 

“The expected returns to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be highest in the case of bajra (85 per cent), followed by urad (65 per cent) and tur (62 per cent). For the rest of the crops, return to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be at least 50 per cent,” a government release said.

 

The government calculates cost as a function of the cost of cultivation, plus the value of family labour. The highest absolute increase in MSP in FY22 over FY21 has been recommended for sesamum (Rs 452/quintal), followed by tur and urad (Rs300/quintal each).

 

The Cabinet has approved an increase in the MSP of paddy (common variety) to Rs 1,940 per quintal for the 2021-22 crop year (July-June) from Rs 1,868 per quintal in the year-ago period. 

 

Similarly, the MSP of Bajra has been increased to Rs 2,250 per quintal for the current year from Rs 2,150 per quintal last year.

According to Motilal Oswal Financial Services, the

Agro Universities

Demonstrations were held on how to do seed treatment and root dip treatment of basmati rice with Trichoderma harziamum to avoid foot rot disease

Experts of Farm Advisory Service Centre (FASC) of Punjab Agricultural University recently organised a training camp on seed treatment in Basmati rice in an adopted village Kot Mohammad Khan of Tarn Taran District, under the scheme “Farm Advisory Service Scheme”. More than 40 farmers participated in the initiative.

Dr Parminder Kaur, ES (PP) demonstrated how to do seed treatment and root dip treatment of basmati rice with Trichoderma harziamum to avoid foot rot disease, which sometimes causes huge losses in basmati. She also distributed Trichoderma harziamum to the farmers. She explained the different activities being conducted by FASC experts and stressed to farmers to adopt the new technologies invented by PAU. She told the farmers to cultivate recommended varieties of PAU which are resistant to diseases and insect pests.

Dr Savreet Khehra an expert of Fruit science emphasised growing fruits plants in the kitchen garden for the nutritional security of the family. She explained how to take care of fruit plants during the summer season.

Dr Parminder Singh, DES (Agronomy) advised not to burn wheat straw as there are many ways to manage it and moreover it pollutes the environment. He explained cultivation practices and fertilization of paddy/basmati crops.

Demonstrations were held on how to do