Ludhiana,
The two day “Research and Extension Specialists Workshop” organized by the Directorate of Extension Education concluded at Punjab Agricultural University today. The two day event saw the participation of officers from the State Department of Agriculture, scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farm Advisory Service Centres; and deans, directors and faculty from PAU. Deliberations were held in four sessions spread through two days, on topics ranging from climate change, insect-pest and disease management, nutrition management, credit planning, agro forestry, besides discussions on the recommendations of Kharif crop varieties.

Dr J.S. Bains, Director of Agriculture, Punjab along with senior PAU scientists paid visit to the experiment areas of the university. Bains stressed on the need to increase cropping intensity along with ground breaking research in order to meet the challenge of doubling farm income by 2022. He mentioned the role of genetically modified crops and vertical expansion to increase agricultural productivity. “Despite the fivefold increase in production and productivity, there are 25 crore people living in poverty and facing malnutrition”, said Dr Bains. He lauded the efforts of PAU in sensitizing farmers towards crop residue management. Stating that an open discussion was important to address farmers’ problems, Dr Bains also drew attention towards biofertilizers, integrated pest management, protected cultivation, speed breeding and plant clinic as the areas of future thrust. He also dwelled on the need for boosting the ICT efforts and cropping based on climatic zones in the state.

Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director Research, PAU apprised the audience about the new varieties recommended by PAU, keeping in mind farmers profit and resource conservation. PR 127 a new paddy variety developed by PAU; is an early version of PUSA 44 and is resistant to bacterial blight. Similarly PUSA Basmati 1637 has also come across as important variety. In cotton, PAU Bt1 has been recommended by the central government for sowing in Punjab and Rajasthan. Similarly another variety in desi cotton is LD 1019, for Arhar, the recommended variety is AL 882, and TG 37A for groundnut. Dr Bains also shared production techniques and disease management interventions for various crops. He also highlighted farm machinery recommendations by the university.

Later, Dr Jaskaran Singh Mahal, Director Extension, proposed the vote of thanks and urged the scientists and extension workers to work in unison for combating agriculture related challenges arising due to the rapidly changing ecosystem.