Sangrur, September 6:
As part of the campaign to discourage paddy straw burning, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur of Punjab Agricultural University organized a one-day farmer awareness camp at village Phuman Singh Wala, Block Bhawanigarh. Around 70 farmers including Sarpanch S. Sukhchain Singh participated in the camp.
On this occasion, Dr. Mandeep Singh, Incharge, PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur made farmers aware about the harmful effects of paddy straw burning on environment, soil health and human health. He informed that burning one tonne of paddy straw causes a loss of 5.5 kg Nitrogen, 2.3 kg Phosphorus, 25 kg Potash and 1.2 kg Sulphur. The harmful gases produced due to straw burning pollute the environment and cause diseases in humans. He strongly appealed to the farmers to adopt in-situ straw management technologies instead of burning.
Dr. Singh also explained the benefits of in-situ management and improvement in soil health. He said that incorporation of paddy straw in the field increases the organic carbon content of the soil, which makes the soil more fertile, reduces expenditure on chemical fertilizers and increases crop yield. He also gave information about the new wheat variety PBW 887. He invited the farmers to participate in large numbers in the Kisan Melas to be organized by Punjab Agricultural University during the month of September.
Dr. Rukinderpreet Singh, Assistant Professor (Agronomy) informed the farmers about the machinery for sowing wheat after managing straw in the field. He also gave information about weed control and nutrient supply in wheat crop sown after incorporation of straw. He explained the benefits of use of Potassium Nitrate (13:0:45) in paddy and advised to spray it. He said that when paddy is at booting stage, spray 1.5% Potassium Nitrate (3 kg Potassium Nitrate in 200 litres of water per acre).
Dr. Ravinder Kaur, Associate Professor (Horticulture) motivated the farmers to grow winter season kitchen garden. She also gave information about different varieties of vegetables developed by Punjab Agricultural University. She also informed about vegetable seedlings prepared for farmers by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur.
At the end of the camp, queries of the farmers were answered and winter vegetable seed kits and farm literature prepared by the University were provided to them.
Sarpanch of the village S. Sukhchain Singh and the President of Kisan Union thanked the team of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur from the core of their heart.
