A Training programme on “Machinery for paddy residue management” was organized by the Directorate of Extension Education in collaboration with Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana sponsored by HDFC Bank through Society for Action in Community Health (SACH).
Twenty farmers from different villages adopted by HDFC bank, participated in the training programme. Relevant lectures and visits related to straw management were arranged for the participating farmers.
Demonstrations on direct sowing of wheat in combine harvested paddy fields using happy seeder, spatial drill etc., wet and dry mixing of paddy straw using chopper and rotavator/MB plow and baling of straw were conducted during the training. Production of biogas using paddy straw and use of paddy residue for Mushroom Production and in geyser for heating water were also demonstrated.
An exposure visit to the village Ageti, block Nabha (Patiala) was also arranged by Dr M. K. Narang to show fields of farmers who shunned stubble burning in the current season. The village was adopted by the university with the support of Birlasoft India Pvt Ltd, Noida to manage the paddy straw using different machines.
A thorough discussion and interaction session for the trainees was arranged and their doubts were addressed by village farmers.
Dr Manjeet Singh, Sr. Research Engineer cum Head, Dept. of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering interacted with the trainees and advised them to use and purchase the straw management machinery in groups. A pledge was taken by the trainees to not burn wheat and paddy straw in coming seasons. Dr T S Riar, in charge KKG, PAU, Ludhiana told farmers to go for cooperative farming and reduce expenditure and also adopt kitchen gardening.
Source: http://web.pau.edu/
