Addressing a huge gathering of farmers in village Kaonke Kalan, near Jagraon, Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU said that pesticides being toxic chemicals need to be handled with care and safety. He said that technologies have been developed to apply pesticides rationally based on economic threshold, and that the integrated pest management (IPM) modules have led to reduce the pesticide load in the environment by 30-40% thereby cutting down the production cost. He cited the example of IPM in cotton and rice where trained scouts help disseminate the technology among farmers.
Dr. Kang said that the practice of burning paddy straw needs to be discouraged as it leads to pollution of air, pulmonary troubles, irritation of eyes, besides, causing loss of microbes and nutrients in soil. The loss of nutrients alone is enormous to the tune of rupees 200 crore. Dr. Kang suggested farmers to send their matriculate boys and girls for admission in B. Sc. Hons. Agriculture six year and B. Sc. Hons. Home Science six year programmes at PAU. The programme was organized by Syngenta India Ltd in connection with its 10th anniversary celebrations. Dr. Kang, while congratulating the office bearers of Syngenta India Ltd. said that the Company has initiated programmes aimed at eco-friendly agriculture, food security, providing exposure to youth through participatory programmes.
Dr. Kang distributed pesticide safety kits among the farmer participants. He said that seed treatment operation is simple but pays great dividends in terms of control of seed borne diseases and enhanced germination. A demonstration on the seed treatment operation was held on the occasion. An improvised flat fan nozzle for herbicide application in wheat was launched. The nozzle was distributed free among participating farmers.
Mr. Rajesh Jain, Vice-President of Syngenta highlighted the programmes that Syngenta has initiated recently. He thanked PAU for providing technical inputs to translate the need based technologies at farmers fields. Giving recent examples he said that the participation of PAU experts and Syngenta officials in propagating water saving technologies like tensiometer and panipipe, fertilizer conservation methods such as use of leaf colour chart, etc.
The farmer participants of the programme, formed a Kisan Club named \'Kheti Vikas Club\'. Mr. Jagrup Singh Sekhon, the Club President honoured Dr. Kang with a shawl and memento. Mr. Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli, President, PAU Kisan Club said that the Club will help facilitate interaction between farmers and the PAU experts.
The programme was coordinated by Mr. Malwinder Singh Malhi, Project Manager, Syngenta. Present on the occasion were Mr. Pankaj Chugh, Mr. Nishi Kant, Mr. Shelender Singh from Syngenta in addition to villagers. Ten farmers who adopted PAU recommendations to enhance productivity were honoured. The village Sarpanch, Mr. Joginder Singh proposed his vote of thanks on this occasion.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
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