Latest news with #PunjabAgriculturalUniversity
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Punjab achieves only 58% of targeted 5-lakh acres under direct seeded rice
The Punjab agriculture department is able to achieve only 58% of the targeted 5 lakh acres to be covered under the direct seeded rice (DSR) technique for paddy sowing this kharif season even as the overall acreage increased marginally from 2024-25. : The Punjab agriculture department is able to achieve only 58% of the targeted 5 lakh acres to be covered under the direct seeded rice (DSR) technique for paddy sowing this kharif season even as the overall acreage increased marginally from 2024-25. (File Photo) However, the official data shows that the area under the water conservation method of DSR is pegged at 2.90 lakh acres this kharif cycle which is the highest in the last four kharif sowing seasons. DSR 'tar-wattar' (good soil moisture), a low-cost mechanical sowing technique to reduce water footprint in the cultivation of water-guzzling rice by 20%, was indigenously developed by scientists of Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Despite being promoted for the last several years on the recommendation of the PAU, the area under DSR — a cultivation method in which paddy seeds are planted directly into the soil, while doing away with the traditional preparing of nurseries and then transplanting the saplings — has received less acceptance from the rice growers. Joint director of the state agriculture department, Narinder Singh Benipal, said on Wednesday that the consistent drive by the department has yielded results, as this time the acreage improved impressively. 'The state government is offering a subsidy of ₹1,500 per acre to encourage farmers to adopt DSR. Final data of the total registrations would be ascertained on the last date of July 31. We are confident that more farmers will get associated with the PAU-approved technology in the coming seasons,' added Benipal. Officials said that the state had set the target of 2.02 lakh hectares or 5 lakh acres under DSR in which Fazilka topped the tally by breaching one lakh acres, followed by 97,540 acres in Muktsar. Fazilka chief agriculture officer (CAO) Rajinder Kumar Kamboj said that in 2024, a total of 59,000 acres were under DSR, which improved to 1.02 lakh acres this year. The Punjab government has been pushing the technique as an alternative to the traditional method, as besides water conservation, the DSR also cuts the labour input cost. During field trials, the DSR was done on 23,500 hectares or 58,000 acres in 2019 and the area under this technique jumped to 5.4 lakh hectares or 13.34 lakh acres in 2020. In 2021, DSR acreage was recorded as the highest at 13.88 lakh acres and officials attribute the large area under the method in 2020 and 2021 to a labour shortage caused by Covid-19-induced lockdowns. Officials admit that the hesitancy to adopt new technology and the lack of technical knowledge are to be blamed for farmers' reluctance to adopt it. Data shows that post-pandemic lockdown, the area nosedived. Officials said that though acreage under the DSR declined after 2021, the method is showing a gradual upward trend. Area under DSR was recorded as 1.71 lakh acres in 2022, 1.73 lakh acres in 2023, 2.53 lakh acres in 2024 and it reached 2.90 lakh acres in 2025. Bathinda CAO Jagdish Singh said DSR acreage in the district this year has improved by 40% to 14,000 acres. 'Last year, about 10,000 acres were under the DSR and our team remained engaged in removing doubts about this technology by organising regular awareness camps. Our field studies say that the growth and health of plants in the DSR fields are impressive. Regular drive will encourage farmers to get their field soil tested to ascertain suitability for DSR, and the method will gain popularity in the near future,' he added.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Unravelling the Bt bind: Desi cotton weaves a new future for Punjab farmers
After years of struggling with pest-infested Bt cotton and shrinking profits, a section of farmers in Punjab are turning back to a traditional crop with a modern promise — indigenous desi cotton — to overcome an economic crisis following dismal cotton seasons since 2021. A progressive cotton grower, Ravi Kant Geaidher, at his field in Nihal Khera village of Fazilka on Sunday. (HT photo) Once sidelined by genetically modified varieties, desi cotton is now being revived with institutional support, scientific backing, and farmer-led trials. The state's agriculture department has begun actively promoting desi cotton this kharif season, marking a major shift in crop strategy aimed at restoring sustainability and profitability to Punjab's cotton belt. Bt cotton, introduced in 2005 in Punjab, has dominated for nearly two decades. However, this kharif season, the state has begun promoting desi cotton in an organised manner for the first time in years. Progressive farmers and agricultural experts say desi cotton is commercially viable, especially in the medical sector, and intercropping with vegetables can further support farmers financially until new pest-resistant hybrids are introduced following ongoing scientific trials. Charanjeet Singh, deputy director (cotton) in the state agriculture department, said around 2,200 hectares are currently under recommended varieties of desi cotton this season, with plans to boost acreage further next year. He explained that since 2021, Punjab has seen a decline in cotton sowing due to repeated pest attacks on Bt cotton and other factors. As a result, many farmers in the southeastern districts began shifting away from the traditional cash crop. 'Last year, we observed that some farmers were still sowing desi cotton in small patches. There was no focused attention on the varieties, but they continued cultivating it as a sustainable crop,' he said. 'Impressed by their confidence in desi cotton — thanks to low input costs and negligible pest attacks — we submitted a report to the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU),' Singh added. Following the report, PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal, who also heads the interstate consultative and monitoring committee for cotton promotion in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, endorsed the expansion of indigenous varieties, calling them economically sustainable. PAU principal entomologist Vijay Kumar said the university has recommended three varieties for sowing — LD 949, LD 1019, and FDK 124. 'During field visits, indigenous cotton was spotted after several years,' Kumar said. 'A new variety, PBD 88, has completed the first phase of trials and is being sown in farmers' fields in semi-arid south Malwa. It is likely to be released next kharif season.' Kumar added that these varieties show natural resistance to whitefly and the leaf curl virus, two major threats to cotton crops in the region. Ravi Kant Geaidher, a progressive cotton grower from Nihal Khera village in Fazilka, said he has been sowing desi cotton on 2 to 6 acres of his family's 10-acre farm for almost two decades. 'When Bt cotton was profitable, many farmers switched to hybrids and abandoned local varieties,' said Geaidher. 'But desi cotton is highly suitable for intercropping. I earn an average of ₹35,000 per acre additionally by sowing vegetables like phoot kakri and banga, both from the cucumber family.' Geaidher, who works closely with PAU on seed trials, said that desi cotton's resistance to pests and soil-enriching intercropping make it a strong alternative for regions with brackish groundwater, where other crops struggle to survive. 'The only drawback is that desi cotton bolls need to be harvested faster than Bt cotton,' he noted. 'But in the southwest region, increasing area under high-yield desi varieties could revive the traditional cotton economy,' he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Ludh duo build auto unit to turn waste into compost
Ludhiana: In an interesting achievement for the city youth innovation ecosystem, two Class XII students Abhishek Dhanda and Prabhkirat Singh have developed an innovative automated vermocompost unit for sustainable waste management. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Their innovation, Prithvi Rakshak, is a one-of-a-kind, student-led, fully automated vermicomposting unit that uses advanced technology to convert organic waste into high-quality compost, almost three times faster than conventional methods. The idea first germinated at an innovation event held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), where the duo initially experimented with kitchen waste and local bio-waste. Inspired by the potential of vermicomposting but frustrated by its slow pace, they began reengineering the process. "We realised the key to speeding up the composting cycle was in creating optimal conditions for the earthworms, mainly temperature and humidity. That's where sensors, robotics, and AI came in," Abhishek said. Using AI-driven temperature and humidity sensors, along with a proprietary bioenzyme formula, the students at BCM Arya Model School, Shastri Nagar succeeded in reducing the traditional composting cycle from 60 to 90 days to just 38 days. Their robotic assistant, VermiDoot, collects and processes organic waste, while their companion mobile app, VermiVeda, helps monitor the system and manage operations remotely. The unit is also IoT-enabled, allowing real-time data tracking. They said that their startup has already processed over 12,000 kg of organic waste monthly, generating Rs 1 lakh in revenue and a single unit could scale to Rs 2.5-Rs 3 lakh per month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They said the unit also produces vermiwash as byproduct and vermisticks. "Since we are able to observe the parameters 24x7, and also control them to create the most conductive environment, not only is vermicompost create much faster but also of high quality which has optimal moisture, pH and other parameters, for improving soil fertility," said Prabhkirat. Their efforts have earned widespread recognition both nationally and internationally. The students represented India at the IEEE Junior Scientist International Competition in Tunisia, where their work was showcased at Science City. They were also finalists in the Net Zero Carbon Emission Challenge, EcoHackathon Delhi, and Eureka Junior, and ranked among the top 10 in the MESA Business School Pitch Competition. On the home front, they have been lauded in events such as TechNiche at IIT Guwahati winning Rs 45,000 prize, and cash prizes at WRO Nationals and Eco-Innovators Ideathon as well, they said. Their innovation was also among the top 35 out of 1.9 lakh entries in the Eco-Hackathon Showcase, an event co-organised by Amazon and the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), they said. BOX MANAGING & MONETISING WASTE BRAINCHILD of Abhishek Dhanda and Prabhkirat Singh, Class XI students, BCM Arya Model School, Shastri Nagar IDEA GERMINATED at an innovation event held at PAU, where the duo initially experimented with kitchen waste and local bio-waste. Inspired by the potential of vermicomposting but frustrated by its slow pace, they began reengineering the process EUREKA MOMENT Using AI-driven temperature and humidity sensors, along with a proprietary bioenzyme formula, the two succeeded in reducing the traditional composting cycle from 60 to 90 days to just 38 days. Their robotic assistant, VermiDoot, collects and processes organic waste, while their companion mobile app, VermiVeda, helps monitor the system and manage operations remotely. The unit is also IoT-enabled, allowing real-time data tracking MOOLAH MATTERS Their startup has already processed over 12,000 kg of organic waste monthly, generating Rs 1 lakh in revenue and a single unit could scale to Rs 2.5-Rs 3 lakh per month BYPRODUCTS The unit also produces vermiwash as byproduct and vermisticks
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Punjab Agricultural University ranked among world's top 100 agri institutions
Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has earned a major global distinction by featuring in the EduRank 2025 list of the world's Top 100 agricultural institutions. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has earned a major global distinction by featuring in the EduRank 2025 list of the world's Top 100 agricultural institutions. The university has secured 93rd position in the EduRank 2025 list and is the only state agricultural university from India to feature in the elite list, which was compiled from an evaluation of 4,407 institutions worldwide. EduRank, an independent global ranking platform, evaluates over 14,000 institutions based on measurable indicators such as research output, citation impact and academic influence. PAU vice chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal attributed the university's strong ranking to its research output, which is a key factor in the EduRank evaluation. He highlighted that the rankings were based on both the number of research papers produced and their global citation impact. 'This recognition shows that PAU is on the right path in agricultural research,' said Gosal. PAU's entry into the Top 100 is a major achievement for India, with the university standing alongside only one other institution from India in this category — the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, which ranked 47th. PAU is the sole state agricultural university to make the list, highlighting its growing international prominence. There are 64 state agricultural universities (SAUs), seven deemed universities, and three Central Agricultural Universities in India, as recognised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). This makes a total of 74 agricultural universities in India. This recognition adds to a series of national accolades for PAU, which was ranked the No. 1 state agricultural university in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. Additionally, it was named the top state agricultural university by the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025. The VC expressed pride in the achievement, saying that the global recognition reflects the university's commitment to agricultural innovation and scientific excellence. 'This is a moment of national pride and will help expand our international visibility and foster collaborations worldwide,' he said. PAU registrar Rishi Pal Singh also praised the university's global ranking, describing it as a validation of PAU's leadership in agricultural research and education. 'The PAU's consistent national and international recognition demonstrates our forward-looking vision and commitment to excellence,' he added. In a further boost to its international reputation, VC Gosal revealed that PAU is one of the two agricultural institutions from India selected by BRICS for research collaboration, which will open new avenues for funding and international partnerships.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab Agricultural University among world's top 100 agri institutions
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has earned a major global distinction by securing the 93rd rank in Agricultural Sciences in the EduRank 2025 list of the world's top 100 agricultural institutions. Among 4,407 institutions worldwide assessed in this category, PAU is the only state agricultural university from India to feature in the list. EduRank, an independent global ranking platform, evaluates over 14,000 institutions based on measurable indicators such as research output, citation impact, and academic influence. The varsity in a statement said: 'Only 22 institutions from Asia made it to the global Top 100 in Agricultural Sciences. Thirteen of these are from China, followed by Japan (2), and one each from Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and India. India is represented by just two agricultural institutions in this category: the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, at 47th position, and PAU at 93rd. While IARI is a national institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), PAU is the sole full-fledged state agricultural university to receive this global recognition.' Earlier, the university was ranked number one among the State Agricultural Universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of the Union Ministry of Education for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. Additionally, the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025, a prominent private-sector agency, also named PAU the top state agricultural university in the country. Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, said that the international ranking reflects the commitment, scientific strength, and tireless work ethic of the PAU fraternity. He noted that such global recognition is not only a milestone for the university but also a moment of national pride. According to him, the achievement will help PAU expand its international visibility and foster new collaborations with research institutions and industry leaders around the world. Founded in 1962, Punjab Agricultural University has been at the forefront of India's agricultural transformation and served as the cradle of the Green Revolution.
