The experts of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) appealed to the school children to come forward to combat the problem of farm fires, the rise of which was dangerous and hazardous for the environment and the public at large. During the awareness camp on “Crop Residue Management and Crop Diversification” at the Government High School, Rarka, the B.Sc. Horticulture students of the fourth year of the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) urged the school students and the villagers to stop their elders and fellow farmers from putting paddy straw on fire and motivate them to go in for in-situ management.
The chief guest Dr MIS Gill, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, made a call for adopting in-field technologies for rice residue management. Highlighting the pivotal role of horticulture in diversification, Dr Gill stressed upon coming out of traditional wheat-paddy pattern for agricultural and environment sustainability.
Dr Jagrup Kaur, an expert, warned the villagers against stubble burning which resulted in breathing problems for young and old, accidents on roads, and poor soil health. She also provided tips for the successful cultivation of wheat.
Emphasizing on dousing farm fires, the Coordinator Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar suggested youths to make a significant contribution towards their direction for the welfare of humanity. He also apprised the students of the academic programmes of PAU which laid special focus on rural agriculture, rural culture, and crop varieties and their matching production-protection technologies.
The retired Principal Sardar Harjinder Pal Singh also created awareness regarding paddy straw management and advised the students to adopt agriculture as a profession.
Experts Dr Simrat Singh and Dr KS Bhullar explained the importance of fruit cultivation in agri-diversification, and fruit and vegetable cultivation in kitchen garden, respectively.
Sardar Lakhvir Singh, Agricultural Development Officer of Sudhar Block, informed about the subsidies being offered by the State government on farm machinery and wheat seed.
The Incharge of Rurka village Dr Manveen Kaur Baath assured that the efforts of PAU won’t go in vain but would help in decreasing paddy stubble burning and switching over to alternate crops such as fruit, vegetables, flowers and forestry for profitable and sustainable agriculture.
The village Sarpanch Sardar Ranveer Singh proposed a vote of thanks.
On the occasion, a rally was taken out by the experts and the students to spread the message of pollution-free environment. Besides, a poster making competition was also organized for the school students and later, winners were awarded prizes. A skit, showcasing the disastrous effects of paddy cultivation in terms of water depletion, soil health deterioration and air pollution, was enacted by the PAU students, namely Pragati, Raksa, Balkaran and Chamandeep. Present on the occasion were Dr Dilpreet Talwar and Dr Ashok Dhakkar, PAU experts. The programme was conducted by the student Balreet Kaur.
Wataalamu wa Chuo Kikuu cha Kilimo cha Punjab (PAU) wamewaomba watoto wa shule kuja mbele kupambana na tatizo la moto wa shamba, kuongezeka kwake ni hatari na hatari kwa mazingira na umma kwa ujumla. Wakati wa kambi ya ufahamu juu ya "Usimamizi wa Mabaki ya Mazao na Utofauti wa Mazao" katika Shule ya Upili ya Serikali, Rarka, B.Sc. Wanafunzi wa mwaka wa nne wa Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) waliwahimiza wanafunzi wa shule na wakazi wa vijiji kuwazuia wazee wao na wakulima wenzao wasiwashe moto kwenye nyasi za mchele na kuwachochea kuingia kwa usimamizi wa in-situ. Mjumbe mkuu Dk MIS Gill, Dean, Chuo cha Kilimo cha Bustani na Misitu, aliomba kupitishwa kwa teknolojia za shamba kwa usimamizi wa mabaki ya mchele. Akikazia jukumu muhimu la kilimo cha bustani katika utofauti, Daktari Gill alisisitiza juu ya kutoka kwa mtindo wa jadi wa ngano-padi kwa uendelevu wa kilimo na mazingira. Daktari Jagrup Kaur, mtaalamu wa masuala ya ardhi, aliwaonya wakazi wa kijiji hicho dhidi ya kuchoma nyasi, jambo ambalo limesababisha matatizo ya kupumua kwa vijana na wazee, aksidenti barabarani na afya mbaya ya udongo. Pia alitoa madokezo kuhusu jinsi ya kulima ngano kwa mafanikio. Akizungumzia kuhusu kuondoa moto katika mashamba, Mratibu wa Shirika la Wanyama Daktari Jaswinder Singh Brar aliwashauri vijana wafanye mchango mkubwa katika kuelekeza mashamba yao kwa ajili ya ustawi wa binadamu. Pia, alitoa taarifa kwa wanafunzi kuhusu programu za kitaaluma za PAU ambazo zilikuwa na lengo maalum la kilimo cha vijijini, utamaduni wa vijijini, na aina za mazao na teknolojia zao za uzalishaji na ulinzi. Mkuu wa shule aliyestaafu Sardar Harjinder Pal Singh pia aliwafanya wanafunzi wawe na ufahamu kuhusu usimamizi wa nyasi za mchele na kuwapa ushauri wa kuanzisha kilimo kama taaluma. Wataalamu Dk Simrat Singh na Dk KS Bhullar walielezea umuhimu wa kilimo cha matunda katika utofauti wa kilimo, na kilimo cha matunda na mboga katika bustani ya jikoni, kwa mtiririko huo. Sardar Lakhvir Singh, Afisa wa Maendeleo ya Kilimo wa Bloki ya Sudhar, alitoa habari juu ya ruzuku inayotolewa na serikali ya Jimbo kwenye mashine za kilimo na mbegu za ngano. In-charge wa kijiji cha Rurka, Dk Manveen Kaur Baat, alihakikishia kuwa juhudi za PAU hazitakuwa bure lakini zitasaidia kupunguza kuchoma magogo ya mchele na kubadilisha kwa mazao mbadala kama vile matunda, mboga, maua na misitu kwa ajili ya kilimo cha faida na endelevu. Sarpanch wa kijiji Sardar Ranveer Singh alipendekeza kura ya shukrani. Katika hafla hiyo, mkutano ulifanywa na wataalamu na wanafunzi kueneza ujumbe wa mazingira yasiyo na uchafuzi. Mbali na hilo, mashindano ya kutengeneza mabango yaliandaliwa pia kwa wanafunzi wa shule na baadaye, washindi walipewa tuzo. "Mchezo wa ""Sketch"" unaonyesha athari mbaya za kilimo cha mchele kwa suala la kupungua kwa maji, uharibifu wa afya ya udongo na uchafuzi wa hewa, ulifanywa na wanafunzi wa PAU, Pragati, Raksa, Balkaran na Chamandeep." Alihudhuria tukio hilo Daktari Dilpreet Talwar na Daktari Ashok Dhakkar, wataalamu wa PAU. Programu hiyo iliongozwa na mwanafunzi Balreet Kaur.