PAU Hosts Workshop on Rabi Crops, Farmers Get Ready to Receive MSP for Sarson Next Year

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) witnessed the inauguration of a two-day "Research and Extension Specialists' Workshop for Rabi Crops" on Thursday. Organized by the Directorate of Extension Education, the event drew a distinguished audience including officials from the state's Department of Agriculture, scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and PAU's esteemed faculty.

A significant revelation echoed through the halls as Gurwinder Singh, Director of Agriculture, Punjab, disclosed the state's decision to grant Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sarson (mustard) from the following year. This forward-looking move aims to inject vigor into crop diversification, fostering a more biodiverse agricultural landscape. Singh took a moment to laud PAU, its diligent Krishi Vigyan Kendras scientists, and the Department of Agriculture for their unwavering support to flood-hit farmers in Punjab.

PAU's Vice-Chancellor, Satbir Singh Gosal, graced the event as its chief guest, urging for a paradigm shift in agricultural practices. Stressing the urgency of setting a minimum support price, he passionately advocated for innovative marketing strategies to invigorate crop diversification across Punjab's fields. The specter of plummeting groundwater levels prompted his impassioned plea for the adoption of water and labor-saving practices, particularly championing the cause of direct seeded rice technology. In this frontier, Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka have emerged as torchbearers of progress.

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With the upcoming paddy harvest on the horizon, Gosal issued a clarion call for a resolute commitment to eradicating paddy residue burning in Punjab. He underscored the importance of proactive management against crop diseases, including sheath blight, bacterial blight in paddy, and yellow rust in wheat. Gosal's sage advice stressed the judicious use of recommended pesticides, especially in the cultivation of the revered basmati rice. Gosal's zeal for diversification resurfaced as he passionately advocated for the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, notably GSC 7 mustard (gobhi sarson).

Gosal didn't shy away from invoking inspiring examples to fortify his message. He spotlighted the transformative journey of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) farmers who transitioned from traditional agriculture to agri-business during their visit to PAU in May. Gosal's clarion call resonated deeply, urging farmers to embrace a mindset shift towards agricultural entrepreneurship.

The Director of Research at PAU, AS Dhatt, illuminated the audience with the university's pioneering efforts in developing tailor-made crop varieties. Dhatt unveiled a stellar lineup including PBW RS 1 and PBW Zn 2 for wheat, IPFD 12-12 for ready-to-cook peas, PBG 10 for chickpeas, J 1008 for maize, and Ajmer Fennel 2 for fennel. Dhatt unveiled these innovations, hinting at their impending recommendation to farmers post-approval from the state varietal committee. The forum absorbed insights on production and protection technologies spanning paddy, wheat, maize, berseem, and organic and fish farming.

Amidst these innovations, PAU's farm machinery innovations took center stage. Attendees were introduced to the revolutionary PAU surface seeder, a tractor-operated paddy shredder-cum-mulcher, and a drone poised for crop-spraying tasks. These innovations stand as testaments to PAU's commitment to cutting-edge agricultural technology.

In the symposium's closing remarks, GS Buttar, Director of Extension Education, struck a chord on responsible farming. He rallied farmers to eschew unauthorized seeds, championing the use of recommended and dependable seeds. With an eye on ecological stewardship, Buttar underlined the criticality of timely crop residue management, echoing the larger call for sustainable agricultural practices.

The symposium adjourned with a collective nod towards a more promising agricultural landscape, underscoring principles of sustainability, diversification, and conscious farming. The fusion of insights, innovation, and collaborative spirit at the workshop paints a vivid portrait of a greener and more prosperous Punjab.

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