Punjab Agricultural University’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Budh Singh Wala, Moga, organized an intensive five-day training programme on crop residue management in the adopted village of Daulatpura from November 4 to 8, 2024. This training, held under the project “Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab-Moga,” was sanctioned by the Director of ICAR-ATARI, Zone-I, Ludhiana. The programme aimed to equip 25 participating farmers with practical knowledge of sustainable paddy straw management and best practices for cultivating Rabi crops.
The training commenced with an opening session led by Dr Manpreet Jaidka, Assistant Professor (Agronomy). Dr Jaidka discussed the challenges and solutions in crop residue management, emphasizing sustainable production methods for Rabi crops like wheat and potato without burning paddy residue. Dr Jaidka provided insights on advanced machinery, including the Happy Seeder, Smart Seeder, and Zero Drill, detailing operational considerations to enhance efficiency.
Dr Prerna Thakur, Assistant Professor (Vegetable Science), discussed using paddy straw as mulch for crops like garlic and turmeric and its application in mushroom production. Dr Sandeep Kumar, Assistant Professor (Plant Protection), conducted an interactive session on insect pests and disease management in Rabi crops. At the same time, Dr Amandeep Singh Brar, Associate Director (Training), emphasized KVK’s role in promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices, including crop residue management and food processing. Dr Harkanwaljot Singh addressed the influence of prevailing weather conditions on crop management practices, such as irrigation and pest control. At the same time, Dr Brar further elaborated on the surface seeding-cum-mulching technique, focusing on its economic viability, irrigation requirements, and pest management.
Relevant literature on crop residue management, surface seeding-mulching techniques, and weed management in wheat was distributed to support farmers’ learning. The participating farmers actively engaged in each technical session, demonstrating enthusiasm for adopting sustainable practices.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=9907
