Tuesday, November 23, 2010

DR. KANG INAUGURATES SOUTH ASIAN REGIONAL TRAINING ON CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE AT PAU

LUDHIANA, NOVEMBER 23:-----



There has been spectacular progress in agriculture in different parts of the world in recent years. There is, however, a question mark about the sustainability of agricultural production systems, in view of a variety of constraints such as increasing population, decreasing land and natural resources, impact of climate change, depleting water table, deteriorating soil health, etc. This was stated by Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU while inaugurating the \'Regional training course on conservation agriculture: nurturing sustainable production systems in south Asia\' at PAU, today. Dr. Kang said that carbon based sustainability index in Punjab has declined. He added that conservation agriculture and natural resource management were important in contemporary agriculture. He mentioned that globally natural resource management, climate change water and food related issues are being discussed through scientific deliberations. He said that PAU has developed several technologies aimed at resource conservation. The acreage under conservation agriculture is increasing, being 7% of the world arable land area. Dr. Kang said that the conservation agriculture practices offer a variety of economic, ecologic and agrarian benefits. Dr. Kang suggested that the conservation agriculture must be taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels through specially designed course curriculum. Efforts must be made to enhance sustainability through conservation agriculture so that food security is less vulnerable, said Dr. Kang.



The workshop jointly organized by Central Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has 24 participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. The scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras are also participating. The programme has schedule for interaction with experts as well as field visits and hands on training.



Dr. Ken D. Sayre, from CIMMYT discussed issues facing farmers and said that earlier, the workshops were held at CIMMYT and that it is the first workshop for south Asia being held at PAU. Dr. M.L.Rao, highlighted the programmes and activities of CSISA and said that the programme involves value chain, economic models, livestock and wheat-maize-rice cropping. He informed that the CSISA has five hubs in India, two in Bangladesh and one each in Pakistan and Nepal wherein thousands of farmers and extension workers are benefited. He said that conservative agriculture will be laying foundations for a much longer green revolution.



The Director of Research, Dr. S.S.Gosal said that Punjab agriculture is quite intensive with a cropping intensity of 189% and that 98% area is irrigated. He said that in view of the soil health and depleting water related issues, the conservation agriculture has great relevance. The Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. P.P.S.Lubana welcomed the delegates to PAU and said that the University has developed programmes on conservation agriculture that include farm machinery and field worthy technologies. Dr. Raj Gupta, South Asia Coordinator, CIMMYT said that agriculture in north western and Indo-gangatic plains has bigger challenge of water resources. He said that virtually a huge amount of water is getting exported to other parts where food grains are sent. Although, Punjab is highly mechanized state, yet different machinery such as Happy Seeder, rice transplanter, laser land leveler, etc. are needed, observed Dr. Gupta. He described PAU as a University having lot of new knowledge and complemented Dr. Kang for supporting the CSISA programmes strongly.



Mr. K.S.Sangha, Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies shared his experiences about Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS), especially in the popularization of machinery like laser land leveler. Dr. H.S.Sidhu extended vote of thanks to the Chief Guest, dignitaries and participants.


News From: http://www.7StarNews.com

No comments:

 
eXTReMe Tracker