Ludhiana, December 23
After having successfully produced a good yield of paddy as a part of a novel experiment of green manuring, farmers of 10 villages in the district are trying this experiment on wheat crop also. The project which was started with an aim to provide an answer to the perplexing problems of glut, underground water table depletion, environmental degradation, increase per unit profit margin and above all to jack up the quality of the produce to compete strongly in the international market, will help the farmers witness a high yield besides saving resources on pesticides, fertilisers and irrigation of soil.
Aided by a company the farmers have incorporated the paddy stubble instead of burning it in the fields. As many as 10 farmers of villages including Burundi, Rasheen, Meherna Kalan, Meherna Khurd, Sihar, Ghudani Kalan, Jartoli, Asi Kalan and Guram had followed this practice on an area of 10 acre each on an experimental basis. Under the project “Sahayog” started by a weedicide manufacturing company these farmers have cultivated wheat varieties recommended by
PAU experts.
According to the project coordinator, Dr M.S. Malhi, the experiment is all set to provide many benefits to farmers besides being beneficial for the environment. He said the farmers had witnessed a good yield and better grain quality of paddy also which they had sown after growing green manure in the fields.
A survey in some of these villages revealed that the farmers were feeling very happy as their crop had yielded good produce, better quantity and was cost effective. As per the data collected from the fields the farmers had produced paddy at the rate of 31 quintal per acre, required less amount of fertiliser and pesticides as the green manure had increased the content of urea in soil.
