LUDHIANA, FEBRUARY 24: The “Research and Extension Specialists’ Workshop for Kharif Crops,” organized by the Directorate of Extension Education of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), concluded here today. Two-day workshop saw detailed deliberations on package of practices for rice and cotton crops, pulses, oilseeds, maize, forage and millets, sugarcane, and agricultural engineering, processing and economics of the kharif crops.
Chairing the session on “Oilseeds, maize, forage and millets,” Dr S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, PAU, said that farmers need to be encouraged to bring more area under groundnut as it is water saving and improves soil health. Special thrust should also be laid on the developing heat tolerant varieties of spring maize. He remarked that with the phenomenal expansion of the dairy sector, the demand for fodder and fodder seeds are also increasing. So, fodder cultivation has got a lot of scope. The PAU is devising its research priorities keeping in view the feedback from the farmers and the emerging needs and trends of present day agriculture.
Dr M.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education, PAU, chairing the concluding session on “Sugarcane, agricultural engineering, processing and economics,” said that since inception, the PAU has been serving the farming community and will continue to serve in future with zeal and fervour. The feedback received from field functionaries of the State Department of Agriculture, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Farm Advisory Service Scheme and outstations of PAU will be taken into consideration for revamping the research programmes for profitability and sustainability of agriculture, he added.
During the workshop, the scientists Dr (Mrs) S.K. Banga, Senior Breeder (Oilseeds) and Dr S.S. Walia, Agronomist, dwelt upon the optimum sowing time of sesame, recommended varieties of groundnut, economic yield and analysis of different cropping systems and soil fertility status and water productivity of groundnut – toria + gobhi sarson cropping system. Senior Maize Breeder, Dr M.S. Grewal spoke on various varieties of maize while Senior Breeder, Dr R.K. Bajaj and Senior Nutritionist, Dr Ajaib Singh, emphasised the need to reduce costs of fodder and delved upon anti-quality components of kharif fodders, toxic component present in bajra and napier bajra hybrid, analysis of forages received from Punjab farmers and toxic compound present in sorghum.
Dr M.S. Sidhu, Head, Department of Economics and Sociology and Dr J.M. Singh, Agricultural Economist, said that the cultivation of paddy is profitable because of the assured marketing and MSP (minimum support price). They shared views on cotton scenario in India and told that the intercropping of sugarcane and the rotation of paddy-wheat-summer moong are also lucrative proposition. The PAU Agronomist Dr Kuldip Singh, Senior Research Engineer Dr Gursahib Singh and Baking Technologist Dr Baljit Singh, shed light on package of practices of sugarcane, improved agricultural implements and processing of cereals and sugarcane (baking and gur making).
Dr T.S. Riar, Session Coordinator, proposing the vote of thanks, said that the participants visited the experimental areas of plant breeding and genetics, soils, agronomy, oilseeds, pulses, etc. The PAU experts explained and educated them about the new varieties, pathological problems, management of insect-pests, direct seeding of paddy, phosphorus impact on wheat crop and control of weedicides.
