Promoting chemical-free production, the Skill Development Centre of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), conducted a five-day training course on “Organic Cultivation” in which 27 farmers and farm women participated. The course was held under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU.
Dr Rupinder Kaur, Associate Director (Skill Development), said that the prime objective of the training was safe and residue-free crop production as well as promotion of organic farming as a subsidiary occupation.
Dr Dilpreet Talwar, Course Coordinator, informed that the experts demonstrated and enriched the knowledge of the participants about the newly evolved organic cultivation practices.
Dr SS Walia, Director of School of Organic Farming, explained the benefits of Integrated Farming System Model, which was cost-effective, environment friendly and could lead to enhanced production and income through the blended cultivation of cereal and horticultural crops, and adoption of animal husbandry.
Dr AS Sidhu discussed the scope of organic farming in Punjab with thrust on dos and don’ts.
Dr Rajendra Kumar focused on medicinal and herbal plants’ cultivation, and Dr Subhash Singh and Dr Manmohan Dhakal dwelt upon insect and disease management in organic farming, respectively.
Dr Neeraj Rani demonstrated the making of vermi-compost, while Dr Amanpreet Kaur deliberated upon organic cultivation and herbal garden of turmeric.
Dr Manisha Thakur and Dr Gulab Pandove enhanced the knowledge about natural farming of vegetables and organic manures, respectively.
Dr Vajinderpal Kalra called for income generation of the small farmers through the adoption of Integrated Farming System Model.
Dr Kuldeep Singh Bhullar and Dr Sukhpreet Singh laid emphasis on the organic cultivation of fruit plants, and water management in organic farming, respectively.
Dr Khushdeep Dharni and Mr Karanbir Gill apprised the trainees of the marketing strategies for the organic products, and the benefits of Punjab Agri Business Incubator Project, underway at PAU for the starting of startups, respectively.
Mrs Kanwaljit Kaur coordinated the visit of the trainees to the Integrated Farming System Farm, organic farm, vermi-compost unit and other experimental areas of PAU.
Dr (Mrs) Prerna Kapila proposed a vote of thanks and reiterated the cultivation of crops via organic farming practices.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=9505
