Punjab Agricultural University’s (PAU) Regional Research Station (RRS) at Gurdaspur conducted a successful Awareness Camp at village Jandi, Block Dina Nagar, on July 22, 2024. The programme was held under the NABARD-funded project on ‘Zinc and Iron Biofortified Aromatic Rice’. Dr. Vivek Sharma, Soil Chemist (Soil Science), In-charge, AICRP (micronutrients)-cum-Co-PI of the Project, detailed about the importance of micronutrients in field crops, chiefly focusing on basmati rice. Adequate micronutrients are vital for optimal plant growth leading to higher yields and better-quality produce, he pointed.
Dr. Gayatri Verma, Soil Chemist-cum-PI of the Project, highlighted the significance of zinc and iron in combating nutritional deficiencies and boosting human health, contributing to nutritional security. Better crop nutrition with high nutrient efficiency is the key to future food security. Dr. Satwinderjit Kaur, Associate Professor-cum-CO-PI of the Project, explained how zinc and iron are crucial for human health. Improving nutritional content can greatly benefit overall diets, she dilated. Dr. Sunil Kashyap (Plant Pathologist) and Dr. Rajwinder Kaur (Entomologist) also provided insights into disease and pest management in basmati rice. The event concluded with a vote of thanks to the participants, who showed immense interest in all the discourses shared by the scientists/experts. The participants shared that the information disseminated to them through the Awareness Camp would prove very beneficial to them.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=9346
