Great demand for improved seeds

Ludhiana: The series of seven Kisan Melas/Divas, organised by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in various parts of Punjab, saw an increasing demand for the improved seeds of various crops. Farmers from Punjab and adjoining states rushed to the seed sale centres to purchase seeds of different crops.

Advertisement

Dr TS Dhillon, Director (Seeds), PAU, said the university produced seeds of different paddy varieties on a large scale. He said 2,400 quintal paddy seeds were sold, adding that varieties namely PR 124, PR 122, PR 121, PR 114 and Pusa Basmati 1121 were in big demand among farmers. Apart from this, seeds of maize, fodder maize, desi cotton, arhar, oilseeds and fodder crops were also sold, he said.

Fodder maize variety J1006 sold like hot cakes, for which PAU produced 2,500 quintal seeds, he said. Not only this, farmers evinced keen interest in purchasing seeds of vegetable crops and all 21,000 vegetable kits, made available by PAU for sale, were sold, he said.

Field day on pulses and oilseeds

The Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised a field day on “Pulses and Oilseed Crops” at Sheikh Daulat village. The programme was held in collaboration with pulses section and oilseeds section of PAU. Nearly 120 farmers participated in the field day, organised in the fields of farmer Harpal Singh. Earlier, the department had conducted an exposure visit for farmers of Boparai Kalan village of Ludhiana district to PAU Kisan Mela.

Dr Jaswinder Singh Bhalla, head, department of extension education, advised farmers to follow PAU recommendations regarding different crops and participate in training courses, organised by PAU on different aspects of agriculture. Dr Sarabjeet Singh and Dr KS Brar, senior breeders, advised farmers to grow recommended varieties of pulses and oilseed crops. Dr Guriqbal and Dr Sardana, senior agronomists, urged farmers to use recommended weedicides and follow proper fertiliser and other management practices. Dr Ravinderpal Singh, entomologist, delivered a lecture on “Insect-pests affecting pulses and oilseed crops, their symptoms and control measures.” — TNS