Divisional Commissioner Patiala division Sh. Chandra Gaind today called upon the farmers to adopt direct sowing technique instead of traditional method of cultivating paddy crop. He said that this would not only save up to 50% of water but also help in increasing the yield and reducing the input cost. Mr. Gaind was here as a special guest in the inaugural session of the District Level Farmers Training Camp organized by the Department of Agriculture.Referring to the list of achievements in the field of direct sowing by the progressive farmer Krishi Karman Awardee Mr. Surjit Singh Sadhugarh, he said that direct sowing of paddy needed to be implemented in the fields so that water, the most valuable source for life, could be saved for our future generations.
Divisional Commissioner Sh. Gaind said that Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann has also urged the farmers to adopt the technique of direct sowing of paddy and this vision of the Chief Minister needed to be communicated to every farmer so that every citizen can contribute to save the declining level of ground water. He said that there is a need for mass movement for conservation of environment and save water as maximum awareness on these issues could save our future. Sh. Chandra Gaind said that few days back he met farmer Surjit Singh Sadhugarh, who spoke on the successful methods of saving water as well as the environment through modern farming techniques. He said that the farmer has taken up the concept of direct sowing under which direct sowing of paddy is done in the fields without filling water in the fields.
The Divisional Commissioner also said that the in-situ management practices adopted by the progressive farmers would be displayed on the big display screens in the grain markets of all the districts under Patiala division. He said that the purpose of demonstrating these techniques in the grain markets is to make the farmers aware to follow the path of progressive farmers, thereby contributing to save water and protection of environment.During the camp, Deputy Commissioner Sangrur Mr. Jitendra Jorwal also urged the farmers to adopt farming techniques which help to save ground water. He said that the district administration has always been committed for the betterment of the farmers and agriculture across the district.
He said that efforts were being made to using modern farming techniques and to prevent the farmers from burning the crop residues. On this occasion Krishi Karman Awardee Farmer Surjit Singh and his son Amarinder Singh shared their experiences with the farmers. They said that these new techniques were a very useful tool which would reduce the water consumption and cost and also help in reducing the environmental pollution. The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the exhibition set up by the Agriculture Department.On this occasion, ADC Sh. Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, District Training Officer Dr. Satpal Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal and Incharge KVK Mr. Mandeep Singh were also present.