The Chief Secretary of Punjab Mr Anurag Verma toured the farmers’ fields at Mutton village of Samrala district today to take the stock of the wheat sown using Surface Seeder technology. Delighted to see the positive outcome of the technology in the fields of the farmer Sardar Harinder Singh, the Punjab Chief Secretary (CS) urged the farmers of the nearby villages to adopt and popularise this technology among the fellow farmers as well.

Mr Verma was accompanied by Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Mrs Sakhshi Sawhney, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Registrar Mr Rishi Pal Singh, Director of Research Dr AS Dhatt and agronomist Dr Jasvir Singh Gill.

Scientific farming is need of the hour, said Punjab CS, while commending the PAU for the development of eco-friendly as well as farmer-farm friendly ‘Surface Seeder-Mulching’ technique. Mr Verma was highly elated to see the wheat yield, emanating from Surface Seeder technology.

Mrs Sawhney stated that seeing the farmers’ optimism, maximum efforts were being made to popularise the technology which was a ‘Vardhan’ (blessing) for the farming community.

Throwing light on the advantages of the technology, Dr Gosal highlighted that the Surface Seeder-cum-Mulching sowed wheat has produced quality grains, minus the attack of diseases such as yellow rust and weed gulli danda (Phalaris minor) which have been affecting the wheat yield and leading to drastic reduction in its production as well as profitability. Lauding the farmers for following PAU recommendations concerning irrigation, the PAU VC observed that the standing golden wheat grown with Surface Seeder at different places in Punjab has brought smiles on the faces of the Punjab farmers due to high yield and upright position of the crop, saving it from getting flattened during storms. Strong and healthy roots, lesser weed emergence, cut in farm expenses and environment friendly were some of the all-time benefits of this technology, he said.

The Surface Seeder-cum-Mulching technique has been advantageous in terms of increase in soil carbon as well as wheat yield and production, in addition to crop residue management in 3-4 weeks between the period of paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, observed Dr Dhatt.

Calling the farmers as the beneficiaries of this technology advancement, Dr Gill enlisted the benefits of Surface Seeder technique including easy to operate and cost-effectiveness, not requiring expensive machines or high horse power tractors for operation, protecting the crop from heat wave, and bringing a permanent solution to the problem of stubble burning.

Sardar Harinder Singh, while expressing immense satisfaction over the newly evolved Surface Seeder technology, shared that the technology not only brings dip in expenditure but is also a trouble-shooter.
Earlier Mr Rishi Pal Singh welcomed the Punjab CS, Ludhiana DC, senior officials of PAU, experts of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Samrala and farmers from surrounding villages of Samrala.

Later, Dr Dhatt proposed a vote of thanks.