Training in integrated farming system

Ludhiana: The Integrated Farming System (IFS) is an economically viable option for enhancing farm productivity and profitability, reducing environmental degradation, improving the quality of life of resource poor farmers and maintaining agricultural sustainability, said Dr HS Dhaliwal, Director, Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI), PAU, at a training programme on IFS. As many as 28 extension functionaries from agriculture and allied departments participated.

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Dr Dhaliwal emphasised on motivating farmers to adopt and integrate various enterprises to increase their income. “Integrating various agricultural enterprises such as cropping, livestock rearing, bee-keeping, fishery and forestry will lead to resource-saving practices that aim to achieve acceptable profits, while minimising the negative effects of intensive farming,” he said.

Dr SS Walia took sessions on IFS approach and integrated crop management. During the programme, various PAU experts shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of different agricultural enterprises in relation to IFS. In addition, energy conservation, integrated nutrient management, crop residue management and methodology and economic analysis of undertaking farming system approach were also discussed. An exposure visit to integrated farm at PAU and Barindpur village, Kapurthala, was organised for better grasping of the concept.

Kisan Diwas

The Farm Advisory Services (Bathinda) of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised a Kisan Diwas on cotton fields of a progressive farmer S Baldev Singh. Experts Dr JS Brar and Dr AS Sandhu provided useful tips to the participating farmers for the management of whitefly on cotton crop. The Director of Regional Research Station, Bathinda, and other farm experts also addressed the farmers on the occasion. Discussing the crop loss due to whitefly, farmers expressed that during this season, crop had witnessed much loss than the previous one. To boost farmers, experts took them to the fields where cotton crop had shown good results. They also equipped them with all necessary information regarding the successful cultivation of cotton crop. Dr Sandhu urged them to grow vegetables also to meet their daily requirements. —TNS