The 34th national level three-week ICAR sponsored CAFT programme on “Climate Smart Strategies to Increase Input Use Efficiency of Soil and Water Resources,” organized by the Department of Soil Science, concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. A total of 11 scientists from ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities representing six states of the country attended the training programme.
The chief guest Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, exhorted the participating scientists to continue maintaining linkages with the faculty of Soil Science and experts from other institutes. He also emphasized on preparing multi institutional projects, which were need of the hour.
Dr DK Benbi, Former National Professor, ICAR, emphasized on enhancing input use efficiency and best use of natural resources, particularly soil for sustainable crop productivity.
Dr Dhanwinder Singh, Head and Director CAFT, informed that 42 lectures and 13 practicals were organised in this training programme besides visits to research farms of PAU. Experts dwelt upon nutrient, water and residue management; alternate uses of crop wastes; agroforestry; organic farming; farming system approaches and precision farming techniques for enhancing input use efficiency, he said.
Dr Rajeev Sikka, Chief Coordinator of CAFT programme, while welcoming the dignitaries and the trainees, told that lectures were delivered by eminent scientists from Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan; Indian Institute of Maize Research and Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana. Hands on training were given on sophisticated instruments such as ICAP-AES, ICAP-MS, Gas Chromatograph, AAS, CHNS analyzer, Cropping simulation modelling, SPAD meter and GreenSeeker, he added.
Earlier, participants appreciated the efforts of the entire CAFT team and also expressed their views on learning advanced concepts and methodologies during this training course.
Dr MS Kahlon, Senior Soil Scientist, proposed a vote of thanks. Among those who attended the concluding session were Dr OP Choudhary, Former Head and Director CAFT; Dr Rakesh Sharda, Head, Department of Soil and Water Engineering; and faculty of Department of Soil Science.
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