Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department organizes training camp for input dealers on balanced use of fertilizers
Nawanshahr May 21 (Harinder Singh) A training camp on ‘Balanced Use of Fertilizers’ was organized for input dealers on May 21 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Langroa, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar under the auspices of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and ICAR-ATARI, Zone-1, Ludhiana in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The main objective of this program was to provide information to input dealers on balanced use of fertilizers and improving soil health and crop yield through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Associate Director (Training), KVK Langroa explained how the use of fertilizers based on soil testing helps in maintaining soil fertility for a long time, preventing nutrient imbalances, reducing farmers’ costs and achieving sustainable yields. During the direct interaction with input dealers, Dr. Lekh Raj, Chief Agriculture Officer, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar emphasized on the complementary role of chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers. He explained in detail about the right quantity, timing and methods of application of fertilizers for different crop cycles. Dr. Jaswinder Kumar, Assistant Professor (Crop Science) highlighted the benefits of ploughing green manure and crop residues in the field to increase organic matter in the fields, improve soil structure and water retention capacity. During the program, Dr. Baljit Singh, Assistant Professor (Entomology) delivered a lecture on identification of dwarfing disease in paddy, its spread and measures to control the vectors that spread it. Dr. Laxman Das and Dr. Raj Kumar, Agriculture Officers appealed to the input dealers to play a leading role in conveying the key messages of the training to the farming community. They encouraged the dealers to support the farmers by recommending suitable organic fertilizers and advising them on the correct dosage and usage of fertilizers. At the end of the event, the dealers took a pledge to maintain coordination with the KVK and the Agriculture Department to disseminate the lessons learned among the farmers and to reach out to the farmers.
