Keeping its commitment towards conservation agriculture and effective Crop Residue Management (CRM), Punjab Agricultural University, through its Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Amritsar, KVK, Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran initiated the Parali Parbandhan Chetna Yatra on October 04, 2023. Dr Bikramjit Singh, Associate Director (Trg) of KVK, Amritsar, in his welcome address, discussed the achievements and facilities provided by KVK, Amritsar to combat the persistent challenge of crop residue management.
The Chief Guest of the occasion S. Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Member of Parliament for Amritsar, appreciated the efforts of KVK, Amritsar, for crop residue management. He also urged the farmers to adopt various approaches for paddy stubble management as recommended by the university; to create better opportunities in agriculture, and highlighted the potential of agriculture for both farmers’ prosperity and ecological sustainability.
In the technical session that followed, scientists of KVK and FASC, Amritsar, delivered lectures on various methods of paddy residue management and urged farmers to adopt viable methods available for the same, but to shun practice of stubble burning completely. Scientists also discussed improved varieties, insect-pest management and integrated nutrient management in Rabi crops. Residue-free basmati production was also discussed.
Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, addressed the need for in-situ management of crop residue, highlighting the significance of retaining friendly microbes in the soil. He exhorted the farmers to adopt cost-effective Surface Seeding-cum-Mulching Technology, which prevents lodging, reduces irrigation, herbicidal spray, and weed infestation.
Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-I, Ludhiana, Dr. Parvender Sheoran, shared the successful experiences of 60 KVKs of CRM Project. He discussed the different ‘Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities under CRM Project like ‘Parali Prabandhan Chetna Yatra’ and ‘Technology Sensitization and Awareness Pakhwara’ that would be organized at Regional, District, Block and village levels while addressing issues that concern CRM, mobilizing 8 lakh farmers and 250 villages to be targeted as ‘burn-free’.
On this occasion, the champion famers of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran were felicitated for their contribution towards paddy residue management. The event was coordinated by Dr Narinderpal Singh DES (SM) FASC, Amritsar, whilehe end Dr SS Aulakh, Associate Director (Trg), KVK, Gurdaspur, proposed a formal vote of thanks.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=8118
