PAU holds national conference on crop diversification and climate change

Ludhiana, November 11, 2024: Farmers from across Punjab converged at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to attend a one-day national conference on “Crop Diversification and Climate Change Issues,” which was organized by the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU in association with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab recently. 

The Special Chief Secretary to Punjab Chief Minister VK Singh was the chief guest on the occasion, whereas Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, presided over the event. Besides, Ajay Vir Jakhar, Chairman of Bharat Krishak Samman; Dr Rashmi Sinha, Co-founder, Village Nama; Harvir Singh, Editor in Chief of Rural World; Ashok Sinha, also from Rural World; and Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, PAU, also attended the conference.

Voicing concern over climate change leading to severe health and agrarian crises, VK Singh made a call for coming out of traditional wheat-paddy cropping pattern which was a root cause of numerous emerging challenges. “Things won’t change in one night, there has to be a start from somewhere and it is good that new beginnings are being made through this conference,” he stated. Further, Singh pointed out the decline in area under Kharif maize and increase in area under water-gulping spring maize, putting an immense pressure on groundwater in addition to water-guzzling paddy. He assured PAU of full support of Punjab government, through thick and thin.

In his presidential remarks, Dr Gosal observed that the entire world was the facing the wrath of weather fluctuations; it was evident from the occurrence of blistering heat in Punjab during May-June 2024. These climate changing patterns were the result of El Nino, leading to disastrous effects on agriculture in terms of emergence of new insect-pests, affecting and damaging various crops, he said. Underlining crop diversification for water conservation, Dr Gosal said that this call kick-started during mid-80s, after the visibility of aftereffects of Green Revolution in terms of excessive use of underground water and soil health deterioration. Strenuous efforts were being made to replace water-intensive paddy, said PAU VC, while asking for retaining faith and trust in University developed non-water intensive PR 126. Disclosing that PAU has developed more than 950 crop varieties till date, Dr Gosal highlighted successful technologies for paddy straw management like Super, Smart and Surface Seeders; and successful cultivation of vegetables such as garlic, tomato, muskmelon, chilies, etc. He also asked farmers to use PAU recommended pesticides in basmati and cotton as well as laid emphasis on agro-forestry and marketing of horticultural crops.

Sharing the vast experiences of Punjab farmers, Jakhar expressed concern over sliding farm income, paving way for overall deterioration of the farming scenario. Calling for introducing reforms to win the confidence of the farmers, Jakhar stressed upon bringing changes in higher education in Punjab and initiating farmer-friendly schemes. “Together, we all can improve the dismal picture of state’s agriculture to positive one,” he said to the audience.

Dr Sinha, in her welcome remarks, invited suggestions to combat climate-related issues. Agricultural scientists, policy makers and farmers should come up as a collective force for environmental protection, she stressed, while divulging that nearly 13 crore children of India were forced to bear the inclemency of polluted environment. “The climate change has resulted in six-times enhancement in the occurrence of floods, and seven-times increase in drought,” she informed, while impressing upon preserving air, water and soil.

Harvir Singh proposed a vote of thanks.

Dr Bhullar told that the deliberations were held on three themes including need for crop diversification; strengthening rural economy through alternate crops; and satellite imagery for diversified agriculture and animal husbandry. This conference aimed at giving a new direction to agriculture for livelihood sustainability of farmers and their farming, he said.