Dhuri, 16 June- To promote the balanced and judicious use of chemical fertilizers and encourage the adoption of bio-fertilizers, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, through its Farm Advisory Service Centre (FASC), Sangrur, organized a village-level farmers’ training camp at Village Buggran near Loha Khera. The camp focused on the use of bio-fertilizer inoculation in paddy and basmati nurseries, soil test-based nutrient management, and avoiding the unnecessary application of phosphorus fertilizers in paddy. Around 30 farmers participated in the programme.
While addressing the gathering, Dr. Ashok Kumar Garg, Senior Extension Scientist (Soil Science), emphasized the importance of applying fertilizers strictly on the basis of soil testing. He informed farmers that balanced fertilizer use not only reduces the cost of cultivation but also improves crop productivity and soil health.
Dr. Garg provided detailed information on the scientific method of collecting soil samples and demonstrated the procedure practically by collecting a soil sample on-site.
Dr. Garg advised farmers to avoid the unnecessary use of DAP fertilizer in paddy and basmati crops and to use urea judiciously. He particularly discouraged the practice of applying two to three bags of urea before puddling. He further recommended the application of zinc only as per the recommended dose to correct zinc deficiency in paddy fields.
Highlighting the importance of bio-fertilizers, Dr. Garg explained that Azospirillum inoculation of paddy seedlings not only enhances crop productivity but also plays a significant role in improving the biological health of the soil. He also shared detailed recommendations regarding fertilizer application and other management practices for raising healthy paddy nurseries.
During the camp, Dr. Garg educated farmers about the identification and management of the paddy dwarfing disease in nurseries and encouraged them to regularly monitor their nursery fields for early detection and timely management of the problem.
The successful organization of the camp was supported by Pritpal Singh, Hardeep Singh, Davinder Singh (Sarpanch), Balkar Singh, and other progressive farmers of the village. At the end of the programme, Azospirillum biofertilizer packets were distributed to farmers as demonstration samples.
Agricultural literature was also made available for sale. Farmers’ queries on various agricultural issues were addressed scientifically and systematically during the interaction session.
Following the camp, Dr. Garg visited and inspected the Direct Seeded Basmati field of Pritpal Singh and discussed crop management practices with the farmer.