PAU experts discuss agrarian challenges

Ludhiana, July 3

The monthly meeting of the extension council of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) was held on campus today, under the chairmanship of Baldev Singh Dhillon.

Heads of various departments of PAU, district extension specialists, subject matter specialists and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras attended the meet, which aimed at discussing agrarian challenges and finding out solutions to the problems.

In his remarks, Dhillon laid stress on promoting crop diversification in Punjab. Expressing concern over water crisis in the state, he shared water saving technologies developed by PAU. He also advised the scientists to play a vital role in diversification by studying all blocks and encouraging farmers to diversify their cropping pattern and make judicious use of water.

He disclosed that a survey was being conducted on the role of horticultural crops, fruits and vegetables, in the development of agriculture. He gathered feedback from extension functionaries regarding whitefly (in cotton), area under paddy, and methods adopted for paddy transplanting.

Navtej Singh Bains, director of research, gathered feedback regarding crop diversification in different blocks of Punjab. The heads of the departments shared their views on alternative crops, such as cereal, oilseed and horticultural crops, among other agrarian challenges faced by farmers. —TNS