Workshop for rabi crops concludes at PAU gear up for stubble burning season: Experts to scientists

Ludhiana, August 11, 2023: In a bid to check straw blaze during paddy harvesting season, the concluding session of Research and Extension Specialists’ Workshop at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) saw deliberations on paddy straw management in Punjab, use of bale shredder for paddy straw mulching, paddy straw based biogas plants and making of briquettes from paddy straw, today. Besides, discussions focused on processing of agricultural produce, agri start-ups – entrepreneurship development, economics of rabi crops, and management of rodents and birds in rabi crops.

Addressing the extension functionaries as ‘ambassadors’ of PAU, Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, who chaired the concluding session, exhorted them to continue with their dedicated efforts to transfer technologies from lab to land. Raising serious concern over stubble burning, he urged the participants to gear up to spread the straw management technologies to every nook and corner of Punjab in order to get best results. Extension network should be strong at the grassroot level, he said, while emphasising on promotion of subsidiary occupations and agri-preneurship among rural community to start new ventures and reap economic benefits.

Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, proposed a vote of thanks, while Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head, Department of Extension Education, coordinated the session.

Earlier, participants visited experimental areas of different departments of PAU under the guidance of Dr G S Buttar, Director of Extension Education.