PAU reaching farmers through extension vans

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, November 27

Giving further impetus to its extension services, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) supported by the Punjab government and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) recently acquired six extension vans to display relevant information to efficiently manage key farm operations in the state.

These vans were used for creating awareness regarding paddy stubble management and proved their worth.

Divulging details about the campaign, Dr BS Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said the extension vans would be used throughout the year to create awareness on key issues, including management of “Gulli Danda”, yellow rust in wheat, management of wheat stubble, transplanting of paddy, awareness on white fly in cotton, judicial use of inputs or any other problems faced by the farmers.

Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director Extension, PAU, said in addition to intensive surveillance of farmers’ fields across the state, the extension vans would serve as an important platform to share efforts and success of the progressive farmers with the ones who have not yet adopted new technologies and motivate them towards sustainable agriculture.

He said the farmer to farmer interaction would be very effective to enrol new farmers to follow those farmers who are successfully managing the crop residue.

Baldev Singh Amar, convenor, CII, Ludhiana Zonal Council, along with other representatives of the CII was also present at the occasion.

PAU Director Research Dr NS Bains, Dr KS Thind, Additional Director of Research (crop improvement), Dr DS Bhatti, Additional Director of Extension, Dr GS Manes, Senior Professor and Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Professor, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering were also present on the occasion.