Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
PAU VC takes stock of farm fires, calls for focusing on 'AI' for drone-use
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), November 24, 2024: In a sustainable effort to check paddy straw burning and to take stock of the farm fires blanketing the entire state with a smog, the Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Dr Satbir Singh Gosal impressed upon the field functionaries to keep encouraging the farmers to stop putting a matchstick to the paddy residue.
Chairing the meeting of the Research and Extension Council recently, the PAU VC urged the scientists to make never-stopping efforts for the management of paddy straw which has been a never-ending issue for the Punjab. Dr Gosal raised serious concerns over the apex court’s snub and respiratory issues emerging as a result of smoke emanating from paddy stubble burning.
Slowly and slowly, step by step, the situation has seen an improvement, he observed, while asking to continue putting in extra efforts to make every nook and corner of Punjab a zero-burning area in the coming times.
Further, PAU VC focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for the implementation of drone technology for uniform spraying on various crops.
On a whole, Dr Gosal advocated the adoption of crop residue management technologies for environmental protection; soil testing for prudent use of fertilizers, especially, DAP; and sowing of PAU-recommended rice varieties over un-recommended water-gulping varieties.
Discussing the performance of rice/basmati varieties in the state, Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, urged the extension scientists to promote university-recommended non-water intensive varieties among farmers as they were affordable in comparison to expensive hybrids/varieties, sold by the private sector.
In his welcome remarks, Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, informed that the field level functionaries and student fraternity of PAU had worked efficiently to check stubble blazing in the state.
Although there was a reduction in farm fires, yet the issue needed to be tackled with constant efforts for the welfare of urban and rural populations as well as the state agriculture, he observed.
Besides, the extension scientists were sparing no effort in updating the agricultural knowledge of the farmers through print, electronic and social media, he added.
Dr GS Mangat, Additional Director of Research (Agriculture), and Dr TS Dhillon, Additional Director of Extension Education, presented the action taken report of the previous meeting.Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Director of Extension Education, proposed a vote of thanks.