Awareness programme on “balanced use of fertilizers”

Ludhiana, October 22, 2019: Punjab Agricultural University’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), SBS Nagar organized an awareness programme on “Balanced Use of Fertilizers” today at the premises. In this programme, the dignitaries’ from agriculture department and other allied departments were also present. About 160 farmers/farm women from farming community were present to enhance their knowledge on the judicious and need based use of fertilizers through live web telecast. Dr.Baljeet Singh (Plant Prot.) commenced the stage and welcomes the participants. Dr Sushil Kumar Sharma, District Agriculture Officer from SBS Nagar were the chief guest on this occasion. Dr.Raj Kumar, Agricultural Development Officer, from district SBS Nagar, discussed the importance of macro and micro minerals essential for soil health and its usage based on soil testing. He also emphasized to test soil samples timely to secure soil health. Dr.Kamaldeep Sangha, Project Director, ATMA discussed the different requirements of essential nutrients and quality of crops entirely depend upon the efficient use of fertilizers. He also suggested the farmers to use zero budget natural farming techniques. Dr.Kirandeep, Assistant Professor (Processing and Food Engineering) discussed the various strategies and operation methods to manage the straw. Moreover, she emphasized the modern technology method like, Happy Seeder, Super SMS, reversible mould board plough and Rotavator to operationalize this process. She also threw light on the ill effects and health hazards of residue burning as it contributes to respiratory diseases and skin infections. Dr.Tejbeer Singh, Assistant Professor (Animal Science) empathized on the appropriate and recommended dose of fertilizers to avoid nitrogen and selenium toxicity in milching animals. Dr. Gurinder Singh, Demonstrator (Animal Science) also emphasized the health of dairy animals is depend upon the fodder production as appropriate use of fertilizers makes the animal healthy and diseases free as well. Dr.Shikha Bathla, Assistant Professor (Home Science) arranged an exhibit for self-help group members. In this programme, self-help groups and FPO’s members also exhibited their hand made products for sale i.e. decorative articles, processed food products, cleaning agents and spices etc. Mrs. Renu Bala, Demonstrator (Home Science) motivated the participants to become self employed by through adoption of skill based techniques related to food processing, bee keeping, livestock management, traditional & modern embroidery and embellishment of garments etc. Certificates of vocational course on dairy farming were also distributed to the trainees. Dr.Manoj Sharma, Associate Director (Training) discussed the use of scientific methods to be followed in agriculture to minimize the risk and ventures related with high dose usage of fertilizers than recommended that deteriorate the soil health. In order to double farmer’s income, it is extremely important to give emphasize on the marketing of farm produce through value addition using food processing methods and requested all the participants to use all the facilities, read literature and attend skill based training courses organized by KVK SBS Nagar.