Sunday, April 28, 2013

QUALITY SEED IS CRUCIAL FOR ENHANCING CROP PRODUCTIVITY: DR. DHILLON

LUDHIANA, APRIL 28:--



28th Annual Group Meeting of All India Co-ordinated Research Project (National Seed Project) was formally inaugurated at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. Vice Chancellor PAU, Dr. Baldev Singh Dhillon was the Chief Guest at the inaugural session while Dr. R.R. Hanchinal, Vice Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Dharwad was Guest of Honour. About 250 scientists from across the country are participating in this three-day meet which has been jointly organized by PAU and Directorate of Seed Research Mau (UP). ICAR, New Delhi has sponsored the meet.







In his address Dr. B.S. Dhillon said that seed is the basic input for agriculture and quality seed is crucial for enhancing crop productivity, and consequently the profitability of the farmers. \"Investments on other inputs will not provide the desired results if seed is of poor quality. It is very important to supply quality seed to farmers at reasonable price\", he remarked. He told that seeds of different varieties are of major attraction at PAU Kisan Melas organized in the month of March and September every year. \"We sold seed worth Rs.2.68 crores in last kisan mela organized at Ludhiana in March,\" he said, adding that India is the 5th largest market for seed and has a great export potential, Dr. Dhillon further said that inspite of the importance of seed, the field of seed technology has not attracted many scientists/researchers. We must come up with innovative ideas to attract scientists/researchers towards seed technology research, he said.







In his address, Dr. Hanchinal, said PAU has made great contributions for the first green revolution in the country and said that this University will lead the 2nd green revolution also. He said that climate change is posing great challenges and affecting the quality and productivity of different crops. We must evolve a contingent plan for the mitigation of the effect of climate change, and sustain our yield levels, he said. Research in seed technology can help us in this direction, he added.







In her keynote address Dr (Mrs) M. Dadlani, Joint Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, PUSA, New Delhi highlighted the advances in seed technology and significance of seed technology research. She informed that major advances have been made to develop technology packages for hybrid seed production in maize, sorghum, sunflower, rice, pearl millet, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, brinjal, cucurbits, etc. She informed that seed standards have been developed for various crops. She also elaborated upon the changes in seed during its long, medium and short term storage.







Dr. Rajender Prasad, Project Director, Directorate of Seed Research, Mau while highlighting the past achievements of ACRIP-NSD said that the project has been instrumental in assuring quality breeder seed for further multiplication. He said that seed technology research component has evolved into National Seed Research System. The project has also been instrumental in strengthening infrastructure and institutional base in seed production and seed research. He informed that the project has made significant impact on the face of Indian seed sector. Against an indent of 90576.67 q, the production of breeder seed was 117827.88 q during 2011-12, he said.







Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries and delegates, Dr. S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, PAU said that the University is a preferred destination of farmers for good quality seeds. He informed that intensive cultivation of paddy and rice in Punjab has posed major challenges in terms of depleting water resources of the state. Our efforts are focused on developing water saving technologies for growing rice and also exploring other options for crop diversification. Dr. H.S. Randhawa, Director (Seeds), PAU proposed the vote of thanks.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com

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