Keeping in mind the balance use of chemical fertilizers in crops, Dr Ashok Kumar, District Extension Scientist (Soil Science), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)’s - Farm Advisory Service Center Sangrur conducted a one-day awareness camp at village Ramnagar Chhana of Sherpur block. More than 50 farmers participated in the camp. Dr Kumar shared detailed information with the farmers about the method of taking soil samples for testing when the field is fallow after the harvest of rabi crops. They were made aware about the balance use of chemical fertilizers in the next kharif crop on the basis of their soil test report of respective fields. He also shed light on the causes and treatment of yellowing of paddy nursery. Ideas were also shared about recommended fertilizers, seed treatment of paddy and basmati. Farmers were encouraged to grow short duration paddy varieties of PAU such as PR 126. The seed availability and salient features of newly released basmati variety Pusa Basmati-1847 were also shared. Besides, Dr Kumar advised to use green manures, summer moong cultivation, organic manures etc. to improve the biological health of the soil. Apart from this, mineral mixture for dairy animals, UMMB and bypass fat were also sold for the good health of animals and protection from diseases. Summer vegetable kits were sold along with agricultural literature.

Awareness was also created about various social media platforms being run by PAU for the welfare of the farmers and everyone was requested to connect with these social media apps and plate forms by making available the barcodes through a flex banner display. Finally, various queries raised by the farmers such as control of foot rot disease in Basmati and management of zinc deficiency in paddy and maize, effect of potassium nitrate on paddy, importance of water testing and nano urea etc. were answered. In this camp, the former sarpanch of the village S. Garib Singh, Mr Khusdev Kumar and progressive farmer S. Manpreet Singh were also present.