Trainees urged to conserve natural resources, practice sustainable agri

A five-day training course on regenerative agriculture kicked off at the Skill Development Centre of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in collaboration with the Round Glass Foundation.

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As many as 25 trainees have been enrolled for the training course, which was inaugurated by KS Pannu, a retired IAS officer and alumnus of the PAU. Addressing the trainees, Pannu underlined the need for saving precious natural resources by giving up the traditional wheat-paddy cycle. It was vital to encourage small, medium and big farmers to make judicious use of essential resources, especially water, he observed. Further, he called for seeking the help of Round Glass Foundation in overcoming the agricultural challenges for the preservation of air, soil and water.

Dr Rupinder Kaur, assistant director (skill development), welcomed the dignitaries as well as the trainees, and shed light on the objectives of the skill trainings being imparted by the PAU to the farmers, women and youths for their fiscal benefits and livelihood improvement.

Dr Lavleesh Garg, course coordinator, informed the trainees that the experts will lay thrust on natural resource conservation, vegetable cultivation, bioenzymes, sugarcane cultivation, etc. Dr Nilesh Biwalkar, principal investigator (PFDC, Ludhiana), shared that the programme was designed to provide farmers with the technical expertise to implement advanced micro irrigation techniques. The training will cover key topics such as the PFDC scheme, PMKY’s Per Drop More Crop initiative, drip irrigation design, fertigation scheduling, and soilless cultivation, he said. Additionally, participants will gain insights into automated irrigation systems, irrigation sensors, and water management, he added. Practical sessions will include hands-on training, field visits focusing on system maintenance, and hydroponic system demonstrations, he said. The programme will also address nursery management, pest control in greenhouse farming, and best practices for efficient irrigation, he added.