09 November 2021, Punjab, IN: Punjab Agricultural University organised PAU-Industry interface programme on the topic paddy straw management under the initiative ‘Farm Innovations Support Programme: PAU-Industry Colloborations’ at Dr. Khem Singh Gill Farmers’ Service Centre. In the programme, PAU Officers, representatives of the industrial sector, machinery experts. Agricultural scientists and farmer-owners of mechanised farms participated.
Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director of Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Ludhiana delved on the topic ‘Farmers and Industry perspective on adoption of Paddy Straw Management technologies and practices’. Dr. Singh motivated the farmers towards paddy straw management. Dr. NS Bains, Director of Research, PAU in his remarks talked about issues and solutions surrounding paddy straw burning. He said that PAU has worked towards the research and extension areas so as to develop and disseminate the technology for paddy straw management. He remarked that the society as a whole should participate to deal with this problem.
On the occasion, Dr. JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU gave a presentation regarding straw management technologies developed and the relevant extension services extended by the University. He said that proper management of paddy straw is need of the hour. Mr. Chandrakant Pradhan from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New Delhi gave his presentation sharing the experience of CII’s collaborative project on paddy straw management.
Afterwards, an open discussion was modulated by Dr. GS Manes, Additional Director Research (FMBE), PAU and Dr. Vishal Bector.
In the opening session, Dr. GPS Sodhi, Additional Director Extension Education, PAU welcomed the participants and briefed about the programme. Dr. Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Industrial Linkages), PAU gave introduction to the participants. During the wrap-up session, Dr. JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education while giving the closing remarks stressed upon the need for management of paddy straw so as to stop its burning which results in multiple environmental problems.
In the end, Dr. Mahesh Narang, Head, Dept of Farm Machinery & Power Engineering, PAU proposed the vote of thanks. On the occasion, also present were Dr. AS Dhatt, Additional Director Research, Dr. TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, Dr. MS Bhullar, Head, Dept of Agronomy, Dr. OP Chaudhary, Head, Dept of Soil Science, Dr. RK Gupta, Dr. RK Aggarwal from PAU while Sh. Gurminder Singh from Corteva Industries and Dr. Joginder from Coterage Industries. An exhibition of farm machinery and recommendations for paddy management by PAU was also showcased.
