Farmers made aware of agri, weather advisory services

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 29

The Agro-Meteorology Field Unit of Punjab Agricultural University’s Regional Centre, Bathinda, organised a farmer’s awareness programme here today. Technical knowledge was imparted to farmers about weather, agromet advisory services and its impact on agriculture.

Nearly 100 farmers from various districts of the south-western zone of Punjab participated in the programme, which was funded by the Indian Meteorological Department under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.

The programme started with a welcome address by Dr Paramjit Singh, director, regional station. Chief guest Dr SS Kukal, Principal Nodal Officer, GKMS, and Additional Director of Research (NR&PHM), PAU, Ludhiana, addressed farmers about the new challenges in agriculture due to climate change and elaborated the usefulness and applicability of weather forecast in different agricultural operations and dissemination system of Agromet advisory services in Punjab. Dr KS Sekhon, Senior Soil Physicist, talked about deficiencies of nutrients in soil and their symptoms. Dr APS Dhaliwal, Associate Professor, Animal Science, KVK, Bathinda, described the effect of climate variations on dairy and poultry production. Dr SK Sandhu, In-charge, Oil Seed Section, PAU, Ludhiana, discussed with farmers about the uses and benefits of Canola oil.

Dr Bahadur Singh, Agriculture Officer, Bathinda, warned farmers about stubble burning. He also explained the sowing methods of wheat for good harvest. Dr GS Romana, Senior Farm Economist, RRS, Bathinda, coordinated the programme. Dr Raj Kumar Pal, Assistant Agrometeorologist, explained about Agromet advisory services and their dissemination through different modes for the farmers of the zone by the station. Farmers were made aware about the different sources from where they get the information regarding forecast and advisory. Dr AS Sidhu, Senior Scientist Irrigation gave the vote of thanks.

During the programme, two fruit plants, 10 vegetable nursery plants, agriculture literatures of soil data collection and crop weather calendar were given for free to the farmers.