PAU-KVK, Sangrur equips farmers with In-Situ Crop Residue Management Technologies

Ludhiana, September 23, 2024: The PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur, conducted a five-day training programme at the adopted village Kaimper of district Sangrur from September 16-20 to equip the farmers with the latest practices for in-situ crop residue management under the project, “Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for Iin-situ Management of Crop Residue in the State of Punjab.”

The programme was held under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University and ICAR-ATARI, Zone 1, Ludhiana, in which 25 trainees from this village were inducted and trained to manage paddy residue using different methods and machinery.

The training was conducted under the able guidance of Dr Mandeep Singh, Associate Director (Trg.) KVK Sangrur. While delivering welcome address, he talked about the importance of in-situ crop residue management in the present scenario and harmful impacts of paddy residue burning on environment and soil health. He also deliberated on economics for different methods of wheat sowing after paddy harvesting. He further shared that a CRM machinery bank has been established at the KVK from where the small and marginal farmers could take the requisite machinery on nominal rent to manage paddy straw in their fields. During upcoming rabi season, KVK will conduct around 200 farmer participatory field demonstrations on the use of CRM machinery for the efficient management of paddy straw in district Sangrur, he added.

Dr Sunil Kumar, Assistant Professor (FMPE), acted as coordinator of the training programme. He sensitized the trainees about ill effects of paddy residue burning and shared details of different machines like use of Super SMS fitted combine for harvesting of paddy crop, Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, Mulcher, Cutter-cum-Spreader and Mould Board plough for paddy residue management in the field itself. He also clarified fears and doubts of the farmers regarding use of different machinery in the field.

Dr Rukinder Preet Singh Dhaliwal, Assistant Professor (Agronomy), imparted knowledge regarding application of urea and other micronutrients in in-situ managed wheat fields. He also shed light on integrated weed management for sowing of wheat in residue managed fields.

Dr Damanpreet Singh, Agriculture Development Officer, Block Sunam, shared information regarding different schemes of Punjab government for benefitting farming community. He also talked about online procedure to apply and avail the subsidy for the purchase of CRM machinery.

Dr Gurbir Kaur, Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology), talked about seed treatment and plant protection measures to be followed for wheat sowing in residue incorporated fields.

Dr Ravinder Kaur, Assistant Professor (Horticulture), informed farmers about use of paddy straw as mulch in vegetable crops and its use for mushroom cultivation.

Dr Ajay Kumar, Assistant Professor (Animal Science), KVK Mansa, deliberated on the use of paddy straw as animal feed and bedding material in dairy.

Dr Vitasta, Assistant Professor (Home Science), shared her knowledge regarding use of paddy straw for preparation of decoration material at home.

On the concluding day, all the trainees were provided with PAU literature under the CRM project. An exhibition of CRM machinery was also put up wherein its proper working was explained.