Indian Council of Agricultural Research asks farmers to go for sustainable agriculture

LUDHIANA: Indian Council of Agricultural Research ( ICAR) today said farmers should go for sustainable agriculture by conserving water and use crop varieties that use less water.

Besides, they should use pesticides in right amount and at right time, said ICAR Deputy Director General (Agriculture Extension) AK Singh at the concluding day of Kisan Mela here.

Expressing concerns over paddy straw burning in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, Singh asked farmers to shun this practice and opt for preparation of bio-gas.

He said the central government is about to launch a new scheme "Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav" under which each farm scientist will adopt one village and create scientific awareness about modern agricultural practices.

Also speaking on the occasion, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Vice-Chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon asked farmers to adopt crop diversification and grow alternative crops such as maize, soyabean and cotton.

Suggesting farmers to grow Pusa Punjab Basmati 1509 due to its good market value, Dhillon asked stakeholders not to transplant this variety before July 15.