The Skill Development Centre, Punjab Agricultural University, organized a one-day training course on “Cultivation Using Direct Seeded Rice” for in-service candidates under the guidance of Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education. A total of six Agriculture Development Officers and one scientist each from Krishi Vigyan Kendras attended the course.

Dr Rupinder Kaur, Associate Director (Skill Development), said that in the modern era, extension scientists must be updated with the latest agriculture technologies so that they can guide maximum number of farmers for their benefit and impart knowledge to them to adopt technologies which are beneficial for environment.

Dr Prerna Kapila, Extension Scientist and coordinator of this course, shared the background and benefits of the course with the participants.

Dr Amit Kaul from Department of Agronomy discussed prospects and techniques for cultivation of direct seeded rice in Punjab.

Dr Anoop Dixit and Dr Aseem Verma from Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering shared the technology for raising mat type nursery using mechanical paddy transplanter, demonstrated the functioning of tractor operated nursery seeder and explained the use of paddy transplanter.

Dr Tarundeep Kaur from Department of Agronomy shared techniques for weed control in direct seeded rice.

Later, Dr Kapila proposed a vote of thanks and motivated the trainees to adopt rice cultivation using direct seeded rice technology in the coming paddy season.