Shaurya Sharma.
Fatehgarh Sahib, July.30, 2020: A team of research specialists from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana today visited various villages of Block Khera in the District, where the production of yield had been declining from the last many years regularly as compared to other blocks in the district.
Dr. Inderpal Singh Sandhu, Chief Agriculture Officer said that from the last many years the yield productivity in the villages of Khera block in the district was declining regularly compared to other blocks of the district. He said that to find out the reasons behind this problem, they called the specialists, who interacted with the farmers and took soil and water samples from villages Braas, Bhaini Kalan and other villages of the block Khera and got it tested.
He said that after the analysis of soil samples, it was observed that the major problem is with the exceptional fine texture of these soils due to which these soils have structural, mechanical and water transmission problems. Such soils get swelled on wetting and become too hard on drying. Therefore, proper soil tilth management is required for achieving good crop productivity.
Dr. Sandhu said that the team advised to cultivate the soils at proper moisture content which is the most essential management practice for such soils because content becomes too hard to prepare a normal seed bed. Further they suggested adding good quantities of organic manures and green manuring practice every year to improve soil structure. Mixing or incorporation of all types of crop residue materials in soil is also recommended. Barley or raya/oilseed crops are the suitable alternate crops to wheat as these crops tolerate salinity. He also ensured that more number of soil and water samples from the area should be drawn and get tested so that any project plan with the help of Department of Water Resources (Drainage) can be submitted to the government for reclamation of such soils.