Straw management: Adopt technologies developed by agri varsity, farmers told

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 17

Expressing his views during a virtual seminar on “Rice residue management methodologies and their application”, Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director, Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), urged farmers not to indulge in stubble burning as it leads environmental pollution.

He advised the farmers to adopt PAU-developed straw management technologies and use farm machinery on custom-hiring basis or seek the help of ccooperative societies and farmers’ organisations in this regard.

Dr Anil Sood, from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana, said collective efforts of PAU, Agriculture Department and farmers have shown decline in stubble burning cases. It is a positive trend, he added.

Dr Rajbir Brar, Director, ICAR, Attari, lauded the efforts of PAU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras in curbing the menace.

Dr Manmohan Kalia, joint director, Agriculture Engineering, talked about the subsidies being provided by the government on residue management machines.

Dr RK Gupta, a senior soil scientist, said burning paddy straw results in loss of essential nutrients and emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Dr SS Manhas, an agronomy expert, explained about the agronomic practises of wheat sowing with residue management. Dr Manjeet Singh, an expert of farm machinery and power engineering, suggested the use of PAU Super Straw Management System, happy seeder, super seeder, baler, rotavator, mould board plough, etc. for the residue management.

Dr Vishal Bector, in-charge, Training Unit, PAU, conducted the programme.

During the seminar, Harminder Singh Sidhu, a private service provider; Sarabjit Singh, a farm machinery manufacturer; and a representative of Confederation of Indian Industry also shared their views.

Three farmers, namely, Sukhjeet Singh, Harvinder Singh and Darshan Singh shared their experiences on sowing of wheat and potato with rice residue management techniques.

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