Farmers should adopt ridge seeding technique for paddy sowing for conservation of depleting underground water: Chander Gaind

Ludhiana, April 9, 2022: For conservation of depleting underground water table, Divisional Commissioner Chander Gaind today urged all the farmers of state to adopt ridge seeding technique for sowing of paddy instead of conventional method of flooding. He said that it would not only save lakhs of litres of water, but would also help in increasing the yield and reducing input cost.

He said this while attending the district level awareness camp organised in the office of Chief Agriculture Officer Ludhiana today. He was also accompanied by MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi and Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma.

Prime Minister Awardee Progressive Farmer Surjeet Singh Sadhugarh, who has been successfully using this technique over the years, also addressed the farmers.
 
Divulging the details, Commissioner Patiala Division Chander Gaind said that he had a meeting with Surjeet Singh a few days ago who explained the means and ways to save water as well as protect the environment through modern farming techniques. Surjeet Singh being a progressive farmer has been resorting to such farming techniques which led to saving water during paddy cultivation. 

Gaind said that farmer Surjeet Singh had brought up the concept of ridge farming under which direct paddy transplantation is done on the ridges without needing to puddle the entire fields. This technique significantly reduces the amount of water required for paddy cultivation besides doing away with stubble burning practices, he said, adding that it also harnesses the yield. Likewise, a video of techniques like direct paddy sowing was also shown during the event.
 
The Divisional Commissioner also said that the in-situ management practices adopted by the progressive farmers would be displayed at the grain markets in all districts falling under Patiala division at the large display screens. He said that the aim behind demonstrating these techniques at grain markets was to sensitize farmers to emulate the path of progressive farmers, thereby contributing towards water conservation and environment protection.

Throwing a light on the current water table in state, Gaind said that several development blocks of the state have been categorized as dark zones with respect to ground water usage. Hence, it was the need of the hour to take serious strides towards water conservation through these practices.
 
He also lauded the efforts of farmers like Surjeet Singh Sadhugarh who are making immense contributions towards environment protection and water conservation through advanced farming practices and appealed to all the farming community to come forward and adopt these methods. He directed the officials of the agriculture department to guide and motivate farmers through extensive awareness campaigns.

While visiting the awareness camp, MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi disclosed that farmers should adopt farming techniques that help in the conservation of underground water. He said that Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government would not left any stone unturned for the welfare of farmers and the state. 

Varinder Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, said that district administration is working hard for the welfare of the farmers and to converse the natural resources. This fair was organised to create awareness among farmers regarding direct sowing and especially the sowing of paddy in the ridges in the fields. He said that the committed team of agriculture department was working continuously for the betterment of the farmers.

Farmer Surjit Singh shared his experience with the farmers and guaranteed the increase of yield with this technique. He said this technique is a bliss which would reduce the water consumption and input costs and also help in reducing the environment pollution.