22 December 2020, Punjab, IN: A Farmers awareness program was organized at village Rattewal, Balachaur, SBS Nagar by RRS Ballowal Saunkhri under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa Scheme of India Meteorological Department. Dr. Gurvinder Singh, Extension scientist, welcomed the farmers. Dr. Manmohanjit Singh Director Regional Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhri and Nodal officer of Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa Scheme, gave an overview of the research, extension and teaching work going on at the research station. He emphasized to plan the agriculture practices keeping in view the weather predictions services provided under the scheme. He also encouraged the farmers to adopt crop diversification for more benefits and meeting their daily food needs. He also told about the role of kitchen gardening for more earning and healthy life.
He encouraged youth to make groups under which they can purchase machinery which they can give to farmers on a rent basis. Dr Navneet Kaur, Scientist Agro meteorology, gave information about decreasing annual rainfall and rising temperature in Kandi region of Punjab resulting in emerging issues in agriculture, effects of weather on crops and work done at research station under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa scheme and encouraged the farmers to register their mobile number for getting maximum benefits from weather forecasting and weather based agroadvisory bulletins through text messages and whatsapp groups.
During the technical session, Dr. Parminder Singh Sandhu, Agronomist gave tips about varieties and weed control in rabi crops. He also explained the fertilizer application, nutrient deficiencies in these crops and encouraged farmers to go for soil testing and use leaf color chart before sowing and application of fertilizers. He emphasizes on cultivating crops, using dose of herbicides based on package of practices of Punjab Agricultural University. Dr Mandeep Pathania, Entomologist, shared information regarding the pest control in rabi crops. Dr Varun Attri, Silviculturist, explained the cultivation of poplar and told benefits of agroforestry to the farmers. At the end of the camp, Dr Gurvinder Singh thanked all the farmers for being part of this camp. Farm literature and improved vegetable seed was distributed to farmers at this occasion.
