Discussions were held on agricultural sustainability and prosperity of farmers
The Research and Extension Specialists Virtual Workshop for rabi crops was recently held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education. More than 300 participants including senior officers, joint directors, chief agricultural officers, officers, scientists, extension workers, ADOs, AOs from the departments of agriculture and animal husbandry, faculty and students from PAU and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Administration Block (GADVASU) attended the workshop.
PAU Vice-Chancellor and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Development, Government of Punjab, Anirudh Tewari, in his remarks highlighted policy perspectives geared towards agricultural sustainability and farmers’ prosperity. Tewari congratulated the scientists of PAU for exemplary strides in research as well as extension, with special mention of the unflinching efforts of PAU and the Agriculture Department in increasing the area of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) in Punjab from 5 lakh hectares last year to 6.01 lakh hectares in 2021. “This is a huge service rendered to the state and the country by conserving water,” he stated.
Tewari urged the agriculture development officer (ADOs) to remain in constant touch with the university and to create a database of all ADO along with their touchpoints in the university. On the same lines, he directed all the scientists of PAU to personally mentor the ADO’S so as to further strengthen the link with farmers. He shed light on how all the dividers on the national highways of the state would be lined by flora to encourage beekeeping as a subsidiary occupation among state farmers.
Tiwari also dwelled on the issues of soil health and reclamation as well as boosting farmers’ income. With respect to the latter, the Vice-Chancellor advised all functionaries to demonstrate the idea of crop diversification in farmers’ fields rather than forcing them for the same. He directed that all extension activities be built around telling the farmer to either reduce 20 per cent area under the current crop or to increase his income by 20 per cent. Thus all farm visits or training camps must highlight the mission of sustainable agriculture and prosperous farmer, he stated.
On the paddy straw management front, Tewari introduced PAU’s newly developed Smart Seeder; a combination of PAU Happy Seeder and Super SMS for efficient in situ straw management.
Dr Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Director Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab lauded the scientists and extension functionaries for their contribution to the highest ever paddy production and the state contribution to the central pool.
Dr Sidhu highlighted the issues of herbicide and yellow rust resistance in wheat, affordable machinery and management of pests in CRM crops. He urged to eliminate the presence of residues in basmati to ensure hitch-free exports. Dry puddle rice, nano fertiliser, groundwater techniques, drip irrigation and inter culture techniques were also discussed.
Director of Research, PAU, Dr Navtej Singh Bains outlined the recommended varieties of wheat, berseem, javi, dake followed by recommendations in production technologies, agricultural machinery and crop protection techniques.
Earlier, Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director, Extension Education and Chairman of the session, welcomed the esteemed dignitaries. The programme was coordinated by the Additional Director of Communication, Dr Tejinder Singh Riar. The action taken report was read out by Dr GS Bhuttar.
In the end, Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director, Extension Education proposed the vote of thanks.
