LUDHIANA, JANUARY 12: An interactive meet on resource conservation agricultural technologies namely ‘Leaf Colour Chart (LCC), Laser Land Leveler, Happy Seeder (HS) and Tensiometer”, was held today that had the participation of the farmers from different parts of the state and the PAU experts. The experts laid emphasis on the judicious use of fertilisers, harmful effects of paddy straw burning, saving environment and use of LCC for maize, rice and wheat crops. Farmers’ feedback and queries were also taken and responded by the experts.
Speaking on this occasion, the Director of Extension Education, Dr M.S. Gill said that the PAU has evolved several agri-technologies and new innovations for the benefit of the farming community. The farmers should adopt these technologies for profit and efficient resource use, he said adding that this will enhance need-based application, reduce the cost of production and make the technology eco-friendly. The PAU has and will continue to serve the farmers with lucrative agriculture, said he, while adding that farmers should continue to give their feedback to the university for re-orienting the research as well as transfer of technology programmes. He said that PAU experts are available at the main campus and district headquarters from home the farmers can get the need-based guidance and advice.
Referring to the PAU recommended LCC technology, Dr Varinderpal Singh, PAU Soil Scientist, stated, “Unmindful of the consequences, the state farmers are making excessive use of fertilizers to get more yield.” The injudicious use of fertilizer nitrogen (N) leads to escalated cost of production, enhanced insect-pest attack, lodging of the crop and increased nitrate in the sub-soil water. Advising the farmers to optimize N application in crops, he stressed on the supply of nitrogen in the right dose and at the right time. Dr Singh told that the use of LCC, recommended by the university for maize, rice and wheat crops, can result in saving of Rs 170 crore annually as well as the environment. He also advised the farmers to adopt LCC technology and make judicious use of urea.
Speaking on the ‘Tensiometer-based irrigation scheduling to rice’, Dr S.S. Kukal, Senior Soil Scientist, referred to implications of falling water table which include more requirement of power, replacement of centrifugal pumps with submersible pumps, poor quality of deep water and disappearance of ground water resources in the future. Dr Kukal told that under PAU-Columbia Programme 2011, 5000 tensiometers were installed in various parts of the state. Suggesting the popularisation of this technique for rice irrigation by creating awareness among the farmers at grass root level, he added that the instrument is manufactured in the PAU itself and is made available to farmers.
Presenting the ‘Status of Happy Seeder in Punjab’, Dr J.S. Mahal, Head, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, PAU, highlighted that the technology is becoming popular among the farmers and its number is increasing day-by-day. Minor modifications have been made in the machine such as arrangement of flails on the rotor and the shifting of ground wheel to the front for better traction. Dwelling upon the social, educational and technical issues of the technology, he shed light on wheat straw quality, energy requirement, urea application, bund making and paddy straw burning. Adding that the burning crop residues though looks cheaper option and less time consuming to the farmers, Dr Mahal cautioned that actually it leads to environmental pollution and health hazards. He advised the farmers to use Happy Seeder to avoid stubble burning.
The PAU experts including Dr M.S. Bhullar discussed Direct Seeded Rice from various angles and highlighted its pros and cons.
Earlier, Dr P.S. Chahal, Associate Director of Research, PAU, welcomed the participants. He said that the feedback provided by the farmers is always beneficial and taken into consideration during the re-prioritisation of the PAU research and transfer technology programmes.
Dr U.S. Sidana, Head, Department of Soils, PAU, coordinating the programme, exhorted the farming community to take full advantage of techniques and technologies designed by the PAU for their benefit. He said that through rational and judicious use of inputs, the unnecessary wastage of resources can be curtailed. The participants were presented with Leaf Colour Chart, and literature on Happy Seeder, and Tensiometer on this occasion.
