Farm Fires: 11 firms to manufacture PAU surface seeder technology to combat stubble burning

NEW DELHI: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Ludhiana has entered into agreements with 11 farm machinery manufacturers in Punjab to manufacture and commercialise the surface seeder technology developed at the university.

The firms with which the PAU has joined hands include Gobind Agriculture Works, Bir Singh and Sons, Dhanjal Agriculture Industries, Punjab Engineering Works, New Kissan Agro Tech, Saron Mechanical Works, New Guru Nanak Engineering Works, Wadhwa Agro Industries, Guru Nanak Engineering Works, Super New Punjab Engineering Works, and New Punjab Mechanical Works.

Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of the PAU, reaffirmed PAU's dedication to eradicating the harmful practice of stubble burning. The university is committed to in-situ paddy straw management that prevents straw burning and enhances soil health and productivity, the VC added.

AS Dhatt, director of research, PAU, said the PAU surface seeder technology is cost-effective and it reduces the cost per acre of wheat sowing to Rs 700 to 800. Dr Dhatt also stressed the importance of allowing the field to dry during wheat sowing and ending the last irrigation of paddy on time.

GS Manes, additional director of research in farm mechanisation and bio energy, elaborated on the state government's subsidy program, which provides a subsidy of Rs 64,000 to farmers' groups and Rs 40,000 to individual farmers to purchase surface seeding machines.

MS Bhullar, head of the department of agronomy, and JS Gill, agronomist, said farmers were excited regarding the surface seeding technology during the field trials conducted by PAU last year.

Khushdeep Dharni, associate director of the technology marketing and IPR cell, added that the PAU has already signed 15 agreements with farm machinery manufacturers to disseminate the PAU surface seeding technology at the grassroots level.