01 November 2021, Punjab: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hoshiarpur organized a field day on soybean cultivation in village Rampur Sainian, in block Mahilpur, for promotion of soybean cultivation in the district and for showcasing the performance of frontline demonstrations on soybean.”
Various technical lectures were delivered for the benefit of the farmers. Dr. Balwinder Singh Gill, Principal Pulse Breeder, Pulse Section, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana said that this field day was being organized regarding cultivation of improved variety of soybean, SL 958. He discussed about the importance of soybean crop and mentioned that soybean is a high value crop with multiple food, feed and industrial uses. Edible oil, soymilk and its products, bakery products, antibiotics and fresh green beans are some of its major uses. Dr. Gill said that the variety, SL 958 contains 41.7% protein and 20.2% oil and is highly resistant to yellow mosaic virus and soybean mosaic virus. It takes about 142 days to mature and its average seed yield is about 7.3 quintals per acre. He also complimented the farmers present during this field day for successfully raising this crop for last many years as a good diversification option in the kandi region of the district.
Dr. Maninder Singh Bons, Deputy Director (Training), KVK Hoshiarpur discussed about role of KVK for the farming community of the area. He also gave an insight into the purpose of the frontline demonstrations on soybean and the efforts being undertaken by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana for further promotion of its cultivation in the niche areas. He informed that that the soybean demonstrations have been conducted in collaboration with Pulse Section, PAU, Ludhiana and a niche of around 500 acres has been established in the kandi villages of Rampur, Jhanjhowal, Alamwal, Jandiala, Halluwal, etc., since last 5-6 years as an alternative crop having minimal water and pesticide requirement and very less/ no wild animal damage. Dr. Bons said that KVK Hoshiarpur has laid out 20 demonstrations this year and are also producing soybean seed at its farm for further promotion of this variety and crop. On this occasion, Dr. Bons also appealed to the farmers to shun the practice of burning of paddy residue and sensitized the farmers about the different strategies for paddy straw management.
Dr. Gurpartap Singh, Associate Professor (Agronomy), Krishi Vigyan Kendra shared important hints on cultivation practices for wheat, including new and improved varieties and the use of biofertilizers.
Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Senior Agronomist (Pulses), Pulse Section, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana discussed about the recommended cultivation, fertilizer management and weed control practices for pulse crops including soybean.
Dr. Kanwarpal Singh Dhillon, Assistant Professor (Animal Science), KVK Hoshiarpur highlighted the use of paddy straw for fodder purposes and discussed regarding seasonal management of dairy animals.
Ms. Sunita, Programme Assistant, KVK Hoshiarpur guided the farmers about the importance of soil testing and proper method of soil and water sampling.
Progressive soybean growers of the area, Sh. Manpreet Singh, village Alamwal, Sh. Kashmira Singh, Sh. Dilbagh Singh, Sh. Jarnail Singh, Sh. Ravinder Singh, Sh. Hari Singh, village Rampur Sainian, Sh. Bhupinder Singh, Sh. Sant Singh and Sh. Sukhdev Singh, village Halluwal, participated in this programme and had fruitful discussion regarding their queries with the experts.
The participating farmers were provided PAU package of practices for rabi crops, winter vegetable seed kits, wheat consortium biofertilizer and literature regarding paddy residue management techniques.
