Mulching: A Positive Solution to Prevent Farm Fires, says PAU

Punjab Agricultural University has come up with an innovative solution for the farmers to increase their production and grow their crops with an increased margin. PAU has offered a technique as a solution for the farmers who are facing trouble due to turbulent weather conditions and the menace of farm fires in the forthcoming paddy season.

It has been analyzed that wheat sowing through mulching has helped several farmers to withstand irregular weather conditions and improve their farm yield.

PAU Vice–Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal also visited ten places where he found that farmers have effectively used mulching in their farm sites. This was a great achievement he told.

Dr. Ajmer Singh, Director (of research ) at PAU told that the university had been continuously working and recommending in–situ treatment of paddy straw. After several testing and modifications, they have come up with surface seeding – cum- mulching technology.

The PAU has also demonstrated farmers' application of cutter–sum–spreaders by adding boxes that will contain seeds and fertilizers. They also told that this method will help them to gain more productivity and minimize manual labor.

Dr. Ajmer Singh also told that the application of mulching will have great benefits. While the paddy straw is retained in the farm site, wheat sowing can be carried easily. This will also help to maintain the temperature and provide optimum growth conditions for the wheat to grow.

Infact when Dr. Ajmer was asked if he was certain that the farmers would be convinced by this pitch, he was completely confident. Infact farmers have contended he said.

He added that farmers don’t have to put in excess efforts and heavy expenses, as this method will help them seed and mulch in one operation. This method would be able to protect wheat from lodging.

He added that super seeder will cost around Rs 2 lakh, but cutter-cum-spreader will charge around Rs 50,000.Dr.Jaswinder Brar, plant protection officer, Moga told that wheat sown using the mulching technique would decrease the impact and prevent wheat from lodging. He added that from the time mulching has been applied they have not suffered lodging throughout the heavy rains as well as high winds in the area.

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