Follow weather predictions: Agri experts to farmers

Tribune News Service

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Nawanshahr, December 18

A farmers’ awareness programme was organised at Rattewal village in Balachaur by the Regional Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhri, under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa Scheme, of the India Meteorological Department. Dr Gurvinder Singh, Extension Scientist, welcomed farmers.

Dr Manmohanjit Singh, Director, Regional Research Station, and Nodal officer of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa Scheme, gave an overview of research, extension and teaching work going on at the research station.

Dr Manmohanjit emphasised to plan agriculture practices keeping in view weather predictions provided under the scheme. He also encouraged farmers to adopt crop diversification for more benefits and meeting their daily food needs.

He told about the role of kitchen gardening for more earning and leading a healthy life. He encouraged youth to make groups under which they can purchase machinery, which they can give to farmers on rental basis.

Dr Navneet Kaur, Scientist Agrometeorology, informed about decreasing annual rainfall and rising temperature in Kandi region, thus resulting in emerging issues in agriculture, effects of weather on crops and work done at research station and encouraged farmers to register their mobile number for getting maximum benefits from weather forecasting and weather-based agro-advisory bulletins through text messages and Whatsapp groups.

Dr Parminder Singh Sandhu, Agronomist, gave tips on varieties and weed control in Rabi crops. He also explained fertiliser application, nutrient deficiencies in these crops and encouraged farmers to go for soil testing and use leaf-color chart before sowing and application of fertilisers. He emphasised on cultivating crops, using dose of herbicides-based on package of practices of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Dr Mandeep Pathania, Entomologist, informed regarding the pest control in Rabi crops. Dr Varun Attri, Silviculturist, explained the cultivation of poplar and told benefits of agroforestry to the farmers. At the end of the camp, Dr Gurvinder Singh thanked all farmers for being part of this camp.

Farm literature and improved vegetable seed was distributed to farmers.