Fiveday Training Course on Paddy Straw Management Concludes at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Sangrur

Moonak, September 14:- The five-day training courses on efficient management of paddy straw, organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur of Punjab Agricultural University at villages Hamirgarh and Bhathuan of Moonak tehsil, concluded successfully.
In these training courses, farmers were informed about the benefits of managing paddy straw in the field itself instead of burning it, and about the technical know-how and farm machinery provided by KVK, Sangrur in this regard.
Dr. Mandeep Singh, Incharge, PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur, while explaining the benefits of in-situ management of paddy straw, said that it increases the organic carbon and nutrient content in the soil, improves the physical health of the soil and helps in reducing environmental pollution. He motivated the farmers to avail the benefits of farm machinery and technical information for in-situ straw management from KVK. He also made farmers aware about the ill effects of harmful gases and smoke produced by burning straw on the environment and human health. He also gave information about efficient planning of Rabi crops. He also informed about the new wheat variety PBW 887 and new Raya Mustard varieties Punjab Raya Canola Sarson 7 and PBR 813.
Dr. Sunil Kumar, Assistant Professor (Farm Power Machinery) shared information about the efficienct use of farm machinery used for in-situ management of paddy straw such as Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, Surface Seeder, Smart Seeder, Paddy Straw Chopper-cum-Shredder and mulching machinery and field preparation. He motivated the farmers to adopt scientific techniques of straw management by proper use of machinery and cleared all their doubts and fears about this technology.
Dr. Rukinderpreet Singh Dhaliwal, Assistant Professor (Crop Science) gave detailed information about improved agricultural techniques to be adopted at the time of wheat sowing after in-situ management of straw, weed control and use of fertilizers. Apart from this, he made farmers aware about identification and management of problems in paddy such as dwarf disease, brown plant hopper, false smut and flag smut. He also shared information about the importance of spraying potassium nitrate in paddy and its use as per recommendations.
Dr. Ravinder Kaur, Associate Professor (Horticulture) shared information about varieties of pea, onion, carrot, muskmelon and watermelon recommended by Punjab Agricultural University. She also explained the method of using paddy straw as mulch in horticultural crops and its benefits. She said that proper use of straw can help in weed control in orchards, moisture conservation in soil and production of good quality fruits.
Mrs. Amarpreet Kaur, Lab Technician (Soil and Water Testing Laboratory) informed the farmers about the importance of soil and water testing, correct method of taking soil and water samples and submitting them to the laboratory for testing. On this occasion, information was also given about various farmer welfare schemes being run by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Sangrur.
 Farmers were made aware about the required eligibility, application process and available assistance to avail benefits of government schemes and were motivated to take maximum benefit of these schemes by contacting the concerned department.
The trainees were also distributed literature related to crop residue management and vegetable seed kits by Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The farmers of both villages pledged to manage paddy straw in the field itself.