PAU VARIETIES, TECHNOLOGIES LED TO BUMPER WHEAT: DR. DHILLON

LUDHIANA, JUNE 19:-----



Punjab has witnessed record wheat production this year. Against the target of 108 lakh ton, the state procured 129 lakh ton. Among the factors, the credit for this goes to the favorable weather during the wheat season, development and popularization of improved varieties, production technology by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the role played by the extension functionaries of PAU and State Department of Agriculture, hard work of farmers, etc.



PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Baldev Singh Dhillon congratulated the Punjab Government and all those associated with record wheat production. Last year also, Punjab was honoured with Krishi Karman Award, for remarkable wheat production, he said.



The PAU Director of Research, Dr. S.S. Gosal said that the new high yielding varieties like PBW-621 (21.1 quintal/acre) and HD-2967 (21.4 quintal/acre) contributed toward enhancing wheat production. According to Dr. M.S. Sidhu, Head, Deptt. of Economics and Sociology, the PAU recommended varieties (PBW-550, PBW-343, PBW-621 and HD-2967, etc.) covered 68% area of Punjab, during 2011-12. The enhanced production of wheat has made the state richer by Rs.2570 crore, he said.



The PAU Director of Extension Education, Dr. M.S. Gill said that besides varieties, the technology transfer by extension specialists of PAU and State Department of Agriculture played a significant role. The Punjab Government took timely steps to arrange inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, fungicides, etc. that helped the hard working farmers to grow the crops successfully and obtain bumper harvests, he said.



Dr. Gosal, highlighted that this year the conditions for the development of the dreaded yellow rust disease remained conducive. To protect the crop against the disease, PAU carried out the disease surveys and its Centre for Communication and International Linkages released flash messages through radio, television, newspapers and other means enabling farmers to take up the recommended control measures, wherever needed. Moreover, the government supplied the recommended fungicide (Tilt) at subsidized rates that helped farmers to control yellow rust timely and effectively.
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