Ludhiana; “Cotton growers can heave a sigh of relief as insect-pest attack in Punjab is very much under control,” disclosed the chief guest Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), while inaugurating the two-day Research and Extension Specialists’ Workshop for Rabi Crops in the University today.
The workshop has been jointly organized by the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU, and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab.
Lamenting the hype of the attack of the insect (whitefly) as well as the pest (pink bollworm) on the cotton crop adding to farmers’ woes, Dr Gosal informed that the cotton crop was safe in the state and that farmers should not worry about its yield and production.
“After the release of three Bt cotton varieties including PAU Bt 1, PAU Bt 2, and PAU Bt 3, the University is all set for the release of PAU Bt 4,” he further divulged.
Stressing on promoting agri-varsity developed quality seed of various crops, Dr Gosal observed that the PAU evolved seed was within the reach of the farmers as compared to the private sector developed hybrids which were unaffordable.
“In the coming rabi season, make hard efforts to bring the maximum wheat area under PAU developed varieties and discourage the cultivation of disease-prone ‘HD 2967’; encourage the sowing of gobhi sarson canola variety ‘00’ for the extraction of sarson oil; and popularise water saving as well as in-situ crop residue management technologies for environmental protection,” he advised the extension functionaries.
Furthermore, the PAU VC also stressed exhorting the farmers to obtain skill training in agri-related enterprises and start their own agri-businesses for livelihood sustainability.
Dr Jaswant Singh, Director, Agriculture, and Farmers’ Welfare, while dwelling upon the targets, production, and problems of rabi crops in Punjab, bemoaned the decreasing cotton area to 1 lakh hectares in the present kharif season from 8 lakh hectares nearly 7-8 years back.
In a stern message to the farming community, he appealed, “Stop sowing water-gulping crop varieties which are detrimental to the prevailing water crisis and soil health in Punjab.”
Further, Dr Singh called upon the PAU to develop climate-smart as well as disease and insect-pest-tolerant varieties of cotton and paddy, advocate the adoption of water conservation technologies via water recharge and reuse, disseminate organic farming for residue-free production, and bring out a package of practices for Kandi area-based farmers.
Sharing newly developed research recommendations, Dr. AS Dhatt, Director of Research, said that the University was adding new dimensions to upgrade and re-prioritize its research programs.
He referred to new crop varieties including PBW Biscuit 1 of wheat, PHR 127 of raya-Sarson, PGSH 2155 of gobhi sarson and Ol 17 of javi; production technologies in cotton, gobhi sarson, and masar dal; and production techniques in organic wheat, oilseeds, and summer moong. Besides, he highlighted the development of the latest farm machinery ‘Biomass Incorporator’ which is a modified mold board plow with a clod crusher.
In his welcome remarks, Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, said that developing and promoting crop varieties for enhancing farmers’ agricultural production and income as well as nutritional security, combating dietary-related diseases, and enabling profitable marketing were the thrust domains of the University.
In addition, skill development was also one of the prime thrust areas to enable the rural community and youths to become self-sufficient through farm-related occupations, he added.
Dr CS Aulakh, Dean of, the College of Agriculture, while proposing a vote of thanks, expressed concern over the agriculture sector being impacted by the coming up of national highways. He alerted the scientists to caution the farmers in this direction also.
Coordinating the program, Dr TS Riar, Additional Director of Communication, said that the University was disseminating essential information, every hour through print, electronic, and social media.
On the occasion, an exhibition showcasing the latest crop varieties and agricultural technologies was put up by different departments of PAU. Besides, scientific deliberations were also held during the two technical sessions on wheat, barley, forage, millets, oilseeds, pulses, and sugarcane today.