Farmer training camp held at Rajpura
The Agriculture Department organised a district-level farmer training camp and agricultural exhibition at Bahawalpur Bhawan, Rajpura, with the aim of equipping farmers with technical knowledge about Kharif crops.
The event was inaugurated by Rajpura SDM Avikesh Gupta, and witnessed the participation of around 1,000 farmers from across the district. In recognition of their environmentally responsible farming practices, 100 farmers who refrained from burning crop residue were honoured by the district administration and the Agriculture Department.
The SDM urged farmers to consult agricultural experts to modernize their farming techniques. He emphasized that applying fertilizers based on soil analysis can significantly reduce input costs and transform agriculture into a more profitable venture.
Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Jaswinder Singh voiced concern over depleting groundwater levels and encouraged farmers to adopt short-duration, recommended varieties of paddy and basmati during the Kharif season. He informed the attendees that the Punjab Government has advanced the paddy sowing schedule this year to benefit farmers. Dr Singh also highlighted the importance of leveraging departmental schemes and recommended soil and water testing to ensure optimal fertilizer usage.
Dr Hardeep Singh Sabhikhi, Assistant Director at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rouni, elaborated on various training initiatives under crop diversification. He shared vital technical information regarding seed treatment and disease prevention.
