In commemoration of World Water Day, the Punjab Agricultural University's Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sangrur, in collaboration with the Centre for Water Technology and Management (CWTM), PAU Ludhiana, organized a significant event on March 27, 2024. Held in partnership with the Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority (PWRDA), Chandigarh, the event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 250 farmers, farm women, and students at the KVK farm in Sangrur.

Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, graced the occasion as the chief guest, underscoring the pivotal role of water resources in human civilization and agriculture. Dr Dhatt cautioned against the indiscriminate use of water, highlighting its potential adverse impacts on the environment and agriculture. He emphasized the urgent need for sustainable practices to mitigate groundwater depletion, particularly in paddy cultivation.

Dr Surinder Singh Kukkal, Member of the Punjab Water Regulatory and Development Authority, Chandigarh, reiterated concerns about the alarming rate of groundwater depletion, averaging 2 to 2.5 feet per year. He addressed the contamination of water reserves due to urban and rural sewage and industrial waste, advocating for increased awareness at various levels to promote water-saving practices.

Dr Rajesh Vashisht, Technical Advisor at Punjab Water Regulatory Development Authority, emphasized the imperative of water conservation for global peace, echoing this year's World Water Day theme, 'Water for peace.' Dr. Vashisht shed light on the history of World Water Day, emphasizing its inception in the United Nations in 1992 and subsequent celebrations since 1993.

Dr Mandeep Singh, Associate Director (Training) at KVK Sangrur, highlighted the critical situation regarding groundwater levels of the district's agricultural blocks falling into the 'dark zone'. He urged farmers to transition to shorter and medium-duration paddy varieties to safeguard groundwater resources.

Dr Ajmer Singh Brar, in Charge of the Centre for Water Technology and Management at PAU Ludhiana, discussed the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in irrigation water conservation. He also cautioned against cultivating summer maize to mitigate groundwater depletion.

Dr Amarjeet Singh, Block Agriculture Officer, urged farmers to embrace water-saving technologies endorsed by Punjab Agricultural University to improve state agriculture while sharing farmer welfare schemes implemented by their department.

The event also saw the felicitation of progressive farmers for their contributions to water-saving practices in agriculture. An impressive exhibition by KVK and Self-Help Groups further enriched the event.

Dr Sukhpreet Singh, Agronomist at CWTM, PAU Ludhiana, facilitated a visit to demonstration plots showcasing water quantification pilot projects. Several distinguished personalities, including Dr Ravinder Kaur, Dr Sunil Kumar, Dr Rukinder Preet Singh Dhaliwal, Dr Vitasta, Dr Ujjal Mal, Sh. Tanul Mohod and Sh. Anil Kumar graced the occasion with their presence.