Ludhiana, November 23

The Skill Development Centre, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised a two-day online training course on ‘Precision Technologies for Fruits and Vegetables’ for in-service candidates under the guidance of Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director, Extension Education. In total, 19 agriculture, horticulture and soil conservation officers and scientists from the PAU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras attended the course.

Dr Tejinder Singh Riar, Associate Director (Skill Development), said the course was designed to provide the best in-depth information to increase environmental performance while improving yields and reducing inputs and costs.

Dr Kiran Grover, Principal, Extension Scientist (Food and Nutrition), and course coordinator, said implementing agricultural innovations was key for coping strategies in the context of climate change and food security. Dr Mahesh Kumar Narang, Principal, Extension Scientist (Farm Machinery and Power Engineering), and technical coordinator, demonstrated types and uses of machinery for horticultural crops.

Dr Manjeet Singh, head, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, while presenting an overview of the precision agriculture, stressed upon ‘5+1 Rs’ — right input, right amount, right time, right place, right manner and right genetics for better input management.

Dr Rakesh Sharda, an expert from the Department of Soil and Water Engineering, explained the micro- irrigation system and polyhouse technology. He emphasised on more profit per drop of water. — TNS