Hoshiarpur DC in driver’s seat to promote direct sowing of paddy

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, June 9

In order to encourage farmers towards direct sowing of paddy under the state government’s ‘Kaamyab Kisan, Khushaal Punjab’ programme, Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait on Wednesday visited Kaane village in Shamchurasi. On the occasion, she herself drove a tractor to promote the practice of direct sowing of paddy in a field of a farmer here. The DC said it was high time to preserve the depleting groundwater by adopting direct sowing techniques, which are immensely useful in doing so.

A progressive farmer, Gurvinder Singh, of Pandori Khangura, who had been directly sowing paddy for the three consecutive years, said besides reducing the input costs, the method helps in saving water at a large scale. “I am getting high yield of crop with low cost from sowing till reaping besides receiving remunerative price for three years. Teams of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department had motivated me towards this technique and extended all possible support, which paved a way to turn direct seeding in my field into a reality and a success,” said Gurvinder.

The DC, along with Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Vinay Kumar, herself drove a tractor in the field of Gurvinder in Kaane village to start direct sowing. She apprised the farmers that the state government was extending all possible support and cooperation to farmer for adopting this practice and they should take full advantage of the programme.

The Chief Agriculture Officer and his team apprised the DC that with the concerted efforts of the departmental teams and cooperation of farmers, nearly 3,200 acres had been brought under the direct sowing of paddy.