Punjab farmers asked to adopt new techniques to save water

Machhiwara Sahib (Ludhiana), July 28, 2019: To check the progress under crop diversification efforts taken by Government of Punjab, Secretary of Punjab Agricultural and Farmer Welfare Department Kahan Singh Pannu visited direct paddy sowing and Maize fields in villages Behlolpur, Mushqabad, Pawaat, Sehjo Majra of block Machhiwara Sahib.

While talking to a large number of farmers, Pannu said that these positive results have made possible only with the joint efforts farmers and officials of the agricultural department. Department is getting day by day success in motivating farmers to crop diversification and save water.

During this visit, farmers Ravinderpal Singh, Bhag Singh, Joginder Singh said that they sowing paddy directly in dry fields and bed planting since last year and getting good results and saving under groundwater as well.

Pannu informed farmers about the subsidy on maize seed being given under crop diversification scheme. He appealed farmers to adopt new agricultural techniques to save under groundwater and crop diversification. Some farmers urged to bring potato cultivation under seed certification.

Chief Agricultural Officer Dr Baldev Singh informed farmers that for better residue management in the fields with the help of machinery and equipment in paddy season 2019-20, the state government has been offering 50 per cent subsidy on paddy straw choppers, mulchers, subsoilers, Happy Seeder, Super Straw Management System, Zero Drill, Reversible Mould Board Ploughs and other implements. Punjab government has extended the last date till July 31, 2019, for applying for subsidy on agricultural equipment.

He said that 80 per cent subsidy was being offered to cooperative societies and farmer groups. He appealed the farmers to take benefit of the scheme. He appealed the interested farmers to submit applications by July 31, 2019, in offices of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.