Dr Sutantar Kumar Airi, Director, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department Punjab, today visited Ludhiana and held a meeting with Chief Agriculture Officer Ludhiana Mr Narinder Singh Benipal, and other officials. During the meeting, Dr Airi discussed about the possibility of locust attack and asked the officials to remain on toes if there is any such attack in the district. He also took information about the stock of existing spray pumps, tractor operated spray pumps, insecticides etc. He also directed the officials to take support of farmers and remain vigilant regarding the locust attack.During the meeting, he also too strong notice about the reports of PR 128 and PR 129 varieties of paddy being sold at higher rates. The status report regarding FIR against M/S Brar Seed Store was also discussed and directed the officials to ensure that efforts should be made so that the culprits are punished. He also directed the officials to conduct checking of other seed shops.He also appealed to the farmers not to sow paddy before June 10, 2020. He said that it would not only save underground water, and it would also reduce expenditure by farmers. He also urged the farmers to bring at least 20% of area under direct sowing of paddy in the state. He also appealed to the farmers to not burn wheat straw as it causes pollution to our environment.Dr Sutantar Kumar Airi also urged the farmers to submit their cases with the cooperative societies by June 1, 2020, if they want to avail benefit under PM Kisan Sanman Nidhi Yojana.