Sangrur, September 10:- Under the campaign to discourage the burning of paddy straw, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur of Punjab Agricultural University, in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat, organised a block-level farmers’ awareness camp at Village Baliyan, Block Dhuri. More than 100 farmers participated in the camp.
On the occasion, Dr. Mandeep Singh, In-charge, PAU-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur, sensitised the farmers about the adverse effects of burning paddy straw on the environment, soil health and human health. He said that burning one tonne of paddy straw results in the loss of 5.5 kg nitrogen, 2.3 kg phosphorus, 25 kg potash and 1.2 kg sulphur. At the same time, the harmful gases produced by burning straw pollute the environment and cause diseases among humans. 
He strongly appealed to the farmers to adopt techniques for managing paddy straw in the field itself instead of burning it. He also provided information about the benefits of managing straw in the field and improvements in soil health. He said that incorporating paddy straw into the soil increases the amount of organic carbon in the soil, which makes the soil more fertile, reduces the expenditure on chemical fertilisers and increases crop yield. 
In addition, he provided information about the new high-yielding wheat variety PBW 887. He said that this variety takes 155 days to mature and has an average yield of 24.60 quintals per acre. He also provided information about high-yielding varieties such as PBW 872 and PBW 826. 
He also gave information about special quality wheat varieties such as PBW Zinc 2, PBW 1 Chapati, PBW RS 1 and PBW 1 Biscuit. He also motivated the farmers to sow rabi pulses and oilseed crops. He invited the farmers to participate enthusiastically in the farmers’ fairs being organised by Punjab Agricultural University during September.
Dr. Sunil Kumar, Assistant Professor (Farm Machinery), gave detailed information about agricultural machinery developed by PAU for managing paddy straw in the field and sowing wheat, including the Smart Seeder, Super Seeder, Surface Seeder, Happy Seeder, reversible plough, mulcher, etc. He also informed the farmers about making straw bales with a baler.
He stressed the importance of retaining straw in the field in view of the nutrients present in it.
Dr. Rukinderpreet Singh, Assistant Professor (Crop Science), informed the farmers about weed management and nutrient supplementation in wheat crops sown after incorporating straw into the field. He encouraged the farmers to use pre-emergence herbicides for effective control of Gulli Danda in wheat. He also shared valuable suggestions for controlling the pink stem borer in wheat.
At the conclusion of the camp, the questions of the farmer participants were answered, and they were provided kits of winter vegetable seeds prepared by the university along with agricultural literature.
Village Sarpanch S. Kuldeep Singh and Cooperative Society President S. Jagseer Singh thanked the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur team wholeheartedly. S. Pargat Singh and fellow farmers made commendable efforts to make the camp a success.