‘PAU’s Happy Seeder, SMS becoming game changer’

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 7

A two-day training course on “Operational guidelines of machinery for in-situ management of paddy residue” concluded at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on Tuesday.

The event was organised by the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, PAU, in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ICAR-ATARI), Ludhiana.

Training was designed to set tone for the centrally sponsored scheme “Promotion of agricultural mechanisation for in-situ management of crop residue in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi” by empowering experts of 60 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) with technical know-how of the effective technologies of residue management.

Dr Jaskaran Singh Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, who was the chief guest stressed on the issue of residue burning, explained significance of in-situ residue management and also shed light on the urgency shown by the Central Government in curbing it.

Dr Mahal said Happy Seeder after the operation of Super Straw Management System developed by the PAU was a game changer for in-situ management of residue in the field. He also presented an overview of the efforts of research system in developing effective technologies and their regular improvement. He also urged the KVK scientists to share their learning from the field with fellow participants.

Dr Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI said, “The KVK scientists have been working relentlessly to make farmers and other stakeholders aware of the ill-effects of residue burning. The Central Government’s support will give a huge boost to the movement started by the KVKs and will yield better results.” He said three programmes will be organised for the KVKs in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Manjeet Singh, Head, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, while welcoming the dignitaries and participants from 15 KVKs of Haryana, assured the trainees of all technical support needed for handling machines of residue management.