DC asks SDMs to promote PR-131, PR-130, PR-129, PR 128, PR-127, PR 126, PR-122, PR-121, PR-114, PR-113 paddy among farmers, instead of PUSA-44 in Ludhiana

Ludhiana, April 23, 2024: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney on Monday directed Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and officials of the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department to promote sowing of PR-131, PR-130, PR-129, PR 128, PR-127, PR 126, PR-122, PR-121, PR-114, PR-113 varieties and discourage the Pusa-44 variety among the farmers. 

In a meeting at the District Administrative Complex, the Deputy Commissioner, accompanied by ADC (rural development) Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, SDMs Dr Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Beant Singh Sidhu, and other SDMs (through VC) and officials from the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department, stated that the PUSA-44 was a long duration variety of paddy, cause excess stubble production, and the fact that require more water than other varieties. Long duration varieties consume 15-20 % more water than PR varieties, have more straw load and are susceptible to all the prevalent pathotypes of Bacterial Blight in state. Due to severe outbreak of insect-pests and diseases, these demand at least two extra sprays of pesticides thereby lowering the net profit of farmers.  

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney also took notice of misleading information about the PR-126 variety among farmers and said that the administration would take strict action if anyone spreads misinformation about this or the other recommended varieties. If any one has any query they should contact Agriculture Development Officer (Seed)on  99155-41728.

She asked the officials to promote the short-duration varieties developed by the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) Ludhiana. 
Sakshi Sawhney said that the SDMs, the Agriculture Department, and PAU must hold meetings with farmers in this regard within this week as it is the time when they purchase seed for the next paddy crop. Further, they have been asked to spread awareness about features of PAU recommended varieties.

Prominent officials from the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department, including CAO Dr Parkash Singh, Er. Amanpreet Singh, Er. Harmanpreet Singh, Dr. Ram Singh Pal, Block Agriculture Officer, Doraha, Dr. Dara Singh, Block Agriculture Officer Ludhiana, Dr Gurdeep Singh, Block Agriculture Officer Jagraon, Dr Karamjit Singh ADO Pakhowal, Dr Sirtaj Singh ADO Khanna,, Dr Kulwant Singh, ADO Samrala, Dr Gagandeep Singh, ADO Machhiwara, Davinder Singh, AEO Mangat, Dr Shahab Ahmed, ADO Sidhwan Bet and other ADOs Dr Priyanka, Dr. Raminder Singh, Dr. Sarabjeet Kaur, Dr Ritu Bhangu and Dr. Pushpa Rani, Dr. Navjot Kaur were present at the meeting.