LUDHIANA: Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana organized a stakeholder’s meet on Crop Residue Management (CRM), which was chaired by Dr. JPS Gill, Vice Chancellor. Dr M.L. Jat, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) cum Secretary, DARE, Government of India was the chief guest. This event was attended by farmers, researchers, extension experts, and representatives from various government and non-government agencies.
The deliberations focused on sustainable strategies for managing crop residue, reducing stubble burning, and promoting environment-friendly farming practices. Dr. RS Grewal, Director of Extension Education welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the problems of burning paddy straw in daily life not only to the public but animals as well. Dr. Parvender Sheoran, Director, ATARI Zone-I, ICAR in his remarks; appreciated the Punjab farmers for reducing the fire incidents. He told the audience that there is a reduction of approximately 40% incidences of farm fires compared to last year and overall, there is a reduction of 98 percent in farm fires in Punjab since 2020.
Dr ML Jat in his presidential address urged all stakeholders to work collectively for the development of eco-friendly technologies and their field-level adoption. He gave five goals to each one to explore in the near future for efficient utilization of CRM viz. Skill Development, Custom Hiring Centres, Economic viability of CRM, Soil Sampling and Learning Landscape of the impact of CRM in coming years. He emphasized the officials of ICAR, SAU’s & State Development Agencies to work as team for the benefit of farmers.
Farmers who were following CRM practises for the last decade also raised some concerns regarding the implementation of CRM. Timely availability of implements, Subsidy not uniform, frequent changes in machine design and cost, overpriced machinery, discouragement to ex situ management and strengthening of local cooperative societies were some of the key issues.
Dr JPS Gill, informed the stakeholders that in the university dairy farm, paddy straw is being used as feed in place of wheat straw for the last 2-3 years with good production results. Even paddy straw as bedding gave excellent results as it protects from cold during the winters and incidences of mastitis were also reduced.
Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, CIPHET, Dr. H.S. Jatt, Director, IIMR;, Dr. M.S. Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, PAU, Senior officers from PAU and State Departments; along with Deans, Directors, and faculty members of Vet Varsity also attended the meet.
Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR; proposed the vote of thanks and acknowledged the clean air of Punjab during these days with cooperation of farming fraternity.