HAPPY SEEDER TECHNOLOGY IS WELL RECEIVED BY PUNJAB FARMERS: DR. KANG

Happy Seeder is a wonderful machine offering multiple benefits such as returning precious nutrients to the soil and minimizing the harmful effects due to burning of crop residues. This was stated by Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU in his remarks as Chairman of the technical session of the workshop on \'Policy options to reduce rice stubble burning and review of the Happy Seeder development project\' held in the Conference Hall of Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh, today. Dr. Kang added that farmers in the state are receptive to the Happy Seeder technology. The workshop is organized by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in collaboration with Punjab Agricultural University and other stake holders. Dr. Kang said that the technology that offers economic benefit to the user is bound to be popular. The technology has several positive aspects such as enhanced water use efficiency, weed suppression due to mulching, reduced time lag between crop harvesting and sowing of the next crop with happy seeder, the comparable yields of Happy Seeder crop with conventional system, improved grain quality and enhanced organic carbon in soil, etc.



In his welcome address, Dr. John Dixon, provided an overview of ACIAR activities, Happy Seeder concept and the workshop programme. \'Manufacturing capability of the machine is growing in India\' expressed Dr. Dixon adding that it is suitable for 35 HP tractors and that the on farm experiments in the fields of farmers and contractors have given encouraging results. He, however, suggested that detailed financial analysis of the technology was needed.



Dr. John Blackwell said that the Happy Seeder Technology needs to be extended to rainfed areas. He mentioned that the engagement of public sector and private sector will help in making the technology a standard item. He disclosed that Happy Seeder, which is the result of the joint partnership between Indian scientists and ACIAR, is operating well in hundreds of farms in Punjab. Dr. Blackwell invited scientists to start thinking beyond projects to have some permanent umbrella of institutional arrangement to build up shared capacity.



Dr. Manpreet Singh while sharing new developments and innovations in Happy Seeder machine highlighted the results of on-farm evaluation, technical assistance to manufacturers, transfer of technology programmes, etc. He said that rice burning is a serious environmental issue and that Happy Seeder is the most promising technology available to manage paddy residue and promote conservation agricultural in rice-wheat system. He highlighted several advantages of the machine and said that area under Happy Seeder technology increased from 20, 100, 280 and 750 acres in 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively. He, through video presentation, explained the working of straw management system (SMS) that can be attached to the Happy Seeder.



Dr. Yadwinder Singh said that the total quantity of paddy straw produced annually in the state is about 22 mt. While, at present more than 80% of the wheat residue is collected by farmers after combine harvesting using straw combine and often fed to cattle, paddy straw is considered poor feed for animals due to its high silica content. Farmers resort to burning as they find it easiest method of rice stubble management because residue interferes with tillage and seeding operation for the next crop. The practice, however, leads to lot of nutrients as under field condition about 89% N, 5.5. % P, 20% K and more than 50% S are lost during burning. Dr. Singh said that the water requirement of the state is 4.4 Mhm which is recovered from canals (1.4 Mhm), ground water (1.7 Mhm), while the deficit is 1.3 Mhm. He shared results of the residue decomposition experiments and informed that mulching modifies soil temperature. He discussed that due to high capital cost of Happy Seeder, its availability to small farmers should be encouraged through contractual services providers and cooperative societies.



Dr. Mahesh Gathala discussed nitrogen management in wheat and shared effects on soil properties, terminal heat, etc. He said that temperature in March is a determinant factor for wheat production. The mulching with Happy Seeder can help to keep temperature low by 3 oC, he said.



Dr. S.S.Gosal, Director of Research, said that the research and development studies on machines like Happy Seeder should be holistic, keeping in view of its effect on the biotic and abiotic stresses. Dr. S.S.Bains, former Director of Agriculture, Punjab said that the effect of the technology on rodent and termite infestation should be studied in Happy Seeder sown crop. Dr. I.P.Abrol said that whenever a new technology is launched on a large scale, its possible effect on other components of the eco-system should be viewed. Dr. Jagtar Singh Dhiman, Additional Director of Communication said that the crop residue and soil moisture would provide bait and substrate for the proliferation and perpetuation of soil-borne pathogens, many of which prefer cellulose of the crop residue. He suggested that the Happy Seeder sown crop should be examined for the incidence/infestation data on pests, diseases, rodents, etc. to know the actual performance. In the afternoon Dr. H.S.Dhaliwal, Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU presented the financial analysis of Happy Seeder technology. Dr. Blackwell shared his Australian experiences.
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