Grow short duration Paddy varieties: PAU experts tell farmers

Ludhiana: The Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organized an awareness camp on “Scientific Cultivation of Paddy Crop and Popularization of PAU Recommended Varieties of Paddy” in the village Dakha of Ludhiana district. About 50 farmers participated in the camp held under the guidance of Dr Jaswinder Singh Bhalla, Head, Department of Extension Education, PAU.

Dr Preetinder Singh Sarao, an expert from the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, suggested sowing of short duration varieties of paddy to increase net profit instead of long duration varieties like Pusa 44. He also advocated the use of need based application of insecticides for the management of insect pests based on economic threshold level. He advised the farmers to avoid use of granular insecticides in paddy and mixing of synthetic pythroids in recommended spray formulations.

Dr Lavleesh Garg, Assistant Professor of Extension Education, informed about skill oriented training courses for youth for career development and various facilities provided to trainees during the course.

In her welcome remarks, Dr Lakhwinder Kaur, Assistant Professor of Extension Education, expressed concern over depleting water table in Punjab and motivated the farmers to grow short duration varieties of paddy to save natural resources for sustainable development.

Dr Dharminder Singh, Assistant Extension Specialist, while proposing the vote of thanks, called upon the farmers to develop close liaison with farm experts for timely and reliable information. He also motivated the farmers to grow recommended varieties of paddy like PR 121, PR 124, PR 126 and PR 127 for better management of paddy straw. He exhorted them to read farm literature and PAU Kisan App. Seeds of these varieties were made available in the village.