Under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, and ICAR-ATARI, Zone I, Ludhiana, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sangrur organised a five-day vocational training programme on “Seed Production as an Enterprise” from 25th September to 1st October 2024. The training was attended by 32 farmers and farm women, aimed at providing skills in seed production to generate additional income and employment opportunities.
In the inaugural session, Dr Mandeep Singh, Associate Director (Training), KVK Sangrur, warmly welcomed the participants and emphasised the potential of seed production as a profitable subsidiary occupation in agriculture. He also highlighted the various vocational training courses and outreach programmes offered by KVK to encourage farmers to adopt additional income-generating activities.
Dr Rukinder Preet Singh Dhaliwal, Assistant Professor (Agronomy) and training coordinator educated the participants on floral morphology and seed production techniques for rice, wheat, maize, moong bean, and potato crops. He discussed the importance of quality seed sources, isolation distances, roughing, and proper storage practices for ensuring high-quality seed production.
Dr Gurbir Kaur, Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology), provided insights on seed-borne diseases and their management in field and vegetable crops, while Dr Ravinder Kaur, Assistant Professor (Vegetable Science), elaborated on seed production practices for vegetable crops and the economics of vegetable seed production.
Sh. Lovedeep Singh, Agriculture Development Officer, Lehra, briefed participants on the Seed Act 1966 and the necessary documents and procedures for obtaining seed producer and seller licenses from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab. Sh. Harinder Singh, from the Punjab State Seed Certification Agency (PSSCA), discussed the agency’s role in seed certification.
The training concluded with an exposure visit to the farm of seed producer Sh. Harvinder Singh in Bhadalwad, where he shared his experiences and demonstrated the various processes involved in seed production.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=9729
