Sangrur, 25 Sep 2025 – The Farm Advisory Service Center, Sangrur of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana organized an awareness camp in village Rogla on the importance of crop diversification and in-field management of paddy stubble without burning. More than 50 progressive farmers of the village actively participated in the camp.
Leading the camp, Dr. Ashok Kumar, District Extension Scientist, first explained the concept of crop diversification. He said that apart from wheat in the rabi season, crops like mustard and chickpea can also be sown. Highlighting the international-quality canola variety GSC 7 of mustard, he informed that canola oil contains less than 2% erucic acid and its meal has less than 30 micromoles of glucosinolates per gram. Excessive erucic acid in oil thickens arteries, increasing the risk of heart diseases. The average yield of this variety is 8.9 quintals per acre, with an oil content of 40.5%. Similarly, chickpeas can also be included in crop diversification, and recommended varieties from PAU such as PBG 10 and PBG 8 can be sown under suitable conditions.
Dr. Kumar also gave detailed information about in-situ management of paddy stubble using machines like Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, PAU Smart Seeder, and Surface Seeding-cum-Mulching methods for wheat sowing. He discussed new recommendations for managing pests and diseases of paddy and basmati such as leaf folder, sheath blight, and blast.
He encouraged farmers to get their soil tested after harvesting the kharif crop and explained the procedure for taking soil samples. He also highlighted the benefits of using bio-fertilizer Consortium treatment for wheat to be sown in the upcoming rabi season, which improves soil health. He shared views on balanced nutrient management in major rabi crops.
Farmers were given detailed information about the recommended wheat varieties for rabi, especially RS 1 (suitable for diabetic patients) and PBW Biscuit 1. Stressing the importance of kitchen gardening, he also introduced PAU’s specially prepared winter vegetable kits, which were made available for sale. On this occasion, seeds of mustard variety GSC 7 were also distributed, and PAU’s upcoming rabi-season Kisan Melas (Farmers’ Fairs) were promoted.
Local farmers S. Tarsem Singh and S. Makhan Singh extended full support in organizing the camp. The event concluded with a field visit to Tarsem Singh’s paddy and basmati fields.
Summary:
An awareness camp was held in village Rogla to educate farmers on the importance of crop diversification and managing paddy stubble in fields without resorting to burning.