VC, PAU EMPHASISED INDIAN FARMERS TO ADOPT INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Ludhiana, March 1, 2017: Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare, division Mission on integrated development of horticulture, Hindustan insecticides limited (A govt. of India enterprise) and ICAR- ATARI, Ludhiana has conducted a farmers training programme on the Integrated Pest Management, Safe and judicious use of pesticides in Horticultural crops for the farmers of Bathinda district on February 21, 2017 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dabwali Road Bathinda Worthy Vice Chancellor, PAU Ludhiana, Dr.Baldev Singh Dhillon, graced the Occasion as chief guest of the function. In his speech he laid emphasis on the right use of pesticide with right concentration and dose at the time of application. Also spray should be done only when threshold level exceeds. Further, he suggested farmer to visit their fields on daily basis. The hon’ble Vice Chancellor has appreciated HIL efforts for imparting knowledge for the adoption of Integrated Pest Management to Indian farmers on behalf of Govt. of India, MIDH division. Earlier, Dr. J S Brar, Assoc. Director, KVK Bathinda formally welcomed dignitaries and farming community. Dy General Manager, Shri Anil Yadav, HIL, New Delhi has told the farmers about the HIL’s contribution to Indian farming society by providing good quality and high yielding varieties of seeds, Fertilizer, Agrochemicals at economical prices as well in health. Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director ATARI- ICAR, Ldh expressed his concern regarding misuse of pesticides in crops. Excess use of pesticides affected 15 Lac people around the world. Dr. Sain Dass, Former Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), New Delhi graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. He told farmers not to use wrong pesticides in their fields to avoid any harm to the crop. He appreciated the efforts made by PAU and KVKs of Punjab for educating farming community. Shri Ajeet Verma, Manager HIL told the farmers why there is necessity of IPM, due to which Govt. of India, ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare, MIDH division has asked HIL to dessiminate the knowledge of IPM and Safe and judicious use of pesticides. Under Technical session, Dr. R.S Chandi, PAU Ludhiana delivered lecture on “Safe and Judicious Use of Agro. Chemicals in Vegetable crops.” After that Dr. Sandeep Singh, PAU, Ludhiana made the farmers aware about “Safe and Judicious Use of Agro chemicals in Fruit crops.” Dr. Jagdish Kumar Arora, DES(Plant Pathology) Abohar, Punjab told the farmers about “Diagnosis and Management of Citrus Diseases.” Dr. P.S.Aulakh, ADEE, PAU LDH was also present on the occasion. HIL also distributed around 200 spray kits to the farmers present for the use of pesticides safely. At last, Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Paramjit Singh. Director, RRS Bathinda. Scientist from PAU have educated the farmers about the Integrated pest management in crops ,use of Bio-Pesticides, health hazards if the pesticide is not being sprayed properly and adoption of integrated weed management so that pesticide application can reduced.

More than 350 farmers have attended the training programme. Apart from above General Manager Production of HIL Bhatinda unit,Regional Manager National Fertlizers Dr Rajveer Taya have also participated in the programme.