Workshop On Kharif Crops Begins At PAU; Punjab Has Made Record Paddy Production: Expert
Author(s): City Air NewsLudhiana, February 23, 2016: “Proper spray and proper pesticides are vital for the control of whitefly menace,” said Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) while inaugurating...
Ludhiana, February 23, 2016: “Proper spray and proper pesticides are vital for the control of whitefly menace,” said Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) while inaugurating the two-day “Research and Extension Specialists’ Workshop for Kharif Crops” in the University today. The Directorate of Extension Education, PAU has organized the workshop wherein Chief Agriculture Officers, Agriculture Development Officers and Agriculture Officers from the State Department of Agriculture; scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres; and deans, directors and faculty from PAU are participating.
Referring to the contemporary agriculture challenges, Dr Dhillon said along with water concerns, issues like deteriorating soil health, climate change, unfavorable weather conditions and insect-pest and disease management in various crops also call for special focus of the farm experts. Conservation of natural resources is the need of the hour, he emphasized, while calling upon the agriculture officers and the scientists to promote the use of resource conservation technologies among the farmers. He also informed about the newly developed early maturing rice varieties PR 125 and PR 126. Stating that open discussion was must to address the farm issues, he suggested ways for the agriculture development of the state.
Dr Gurdial Singh, Director of Agriculture, Punjab said, “Punjab has witnessed the ever highest paddy production of 180 lakh tonnes this year.” He attributed the credit to the consolidated efforts of the farmers, scientists, agriculture officers and the Punjab Government. Expressing concern over the rising farmers’ suicides, he asked the experts to find out ways to reduce farm expenses and increase agriculture profits. He also asked PAU to suggest suitable crop insurance scheme for the state farmers. Pointing out that youth was losing interest in farming, he called upon the officers and the scientists to adopt at least one village school to motivate students to opt for agriculture. Dr Singh also stressed on the experts to create awareness on whitefly control through CD. Elaborating, he said that Punjab aims at increasing area under maize, moong and groundnut for diversification.
Highlighting the research priorities, Dr R.K. Gumber, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement), said that PAU was conducting timely surveillance to control yellow rust disease of wheat in Punjab. He mentioned that a CD, on whitefly management, has already been prepared by the PAU and can be a milestone achievement, if distributed among the farmers. He also disclosed that PAU was giving guidance to the ADOs and AOs to curb whitefly menace. Apart from this, Dr Gumber informed about the newly developed varieties namely PR 125 and PR 126 of rice, LD 949 of desi cotton, ML 2056 of moong and PBN 346 of dogla napier bajra. He also highlighted the production-protection technologies for various crops.
Earlier, Dr H.S. Dhaliwal, Dean, College of Agriculture, PAU welcomed the dignitaries, agriculture officers and the scientists. Stressing on promoting crop diversification, he advised sowing alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, etc. He also suggested preparing a cooperative agriculture model and promoting it among the farmers of Punjab. Dr Dhaliwal underlined the need to adopt subsidiary occupations such as beekeeping, mushroom growing, dairy farming and poultry farming for better income.
Dr R.S. Sidhu, Director of Extension Education, PAU said that the University scientists were making best efforts to find out solutions for the emerging agri-problems. He stressed on the Krishi Vigyan Kendras to make more use of ICT tools like WhatsApp. He further said that any technology evolved must be economically beneficial to the farmers. Later, he proposed the vote of thanks.
R T.S. Riar, Associate Professor of Extension Education, conducted the proceedings of the programme. On the occasion, an exhibition, highlighting new crop varieties and production-protection technologies, were put up by various departments of PAU. A book “Rahmat” penned by Dr Sukhdev Singh, former Director of Agriculture, Punjab, was also released.
Eom