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Agriculture
Department
PUNJAB AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT IN THE SERVICE OF FARMERS
Agriculture is the back bone of India economy, and
agricultural development is central to all strategies for
planned development. Progress in agriculture provided the
relief in the form of the country being able to meet its
minimum needs for agricultural commodities. The challenges
faced by agriculture sector can be met only by making the
farmers, their incomes & welfare as the main focus of
planning. Moreover there is need to support infrastructural
development by the stare and build as economic climate for
farmers investments. The extension functionaries have
played major role in the development of agriculture. It is
the main agency who keeps friendly relation with in farming
community.
In order
to safeguard the interest of farmer community, it is
essential to have coordination between the farmer and the
department in implementing. So many schemes are made for
the benefit of farming community.
The
total Geographical area of the state is 50.33 Lakh hectares
out of which 42.04 Lakh hextares is under cultivation. The
Agriculture in Punjab state is highly intensive in terms of
land, capital, energy, nutrients, agriculture inputs and
water etc. with only 1.5% of geographical area of the
country, Punjab has produced about 23% of wheat, 10% of Rice
and 10% of Cotton of the total produce of these crops in the
country during 1999-2000. The food grains contribution to
the Central Pool is about 50 to 70% in case of Wheat & Rice
40 to 50 %. The area under cultivation is about 84% and the
cropping intensity is 186%. Moreover, the fertilizer
consumption is 168 Kg. per hac. S compared to 88 kg.per hac.
at the National Level.
MAIN FUNCTION OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PUNJAB
1. Imparting
training to the farmers about latest technology developed by
research institutes for the production of different crops.
2. Monitoring
the supply and quality of Agricultural inputs like seeds,
fertilizers and pesticides. Irrigation water and machinery
and equipments etc.
3. Monitoring
the soil health, quality of water and health of crops in the
field.
4. To
minimize the use of pesticides and to control the
environmental pollution with adoption of integrated pest
management.
5. Diversification
of areas from traditional crops to oilseeds crops, sugarcane
etc.
6. To
popularize the use of Bio-fertilizers.
7.
Implementation of beneficiary
oriented schemes for economics upliftment of farming community.
PROGRAMMES OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PUNJAB
I. Training
camps of farmers at the district level where scientists of
the PAU update the progressive farmers and field staff of
the Deptt. of Agriculture about the latest scientific
progressive techniques on crop production and marketing.
These are organized both in Kharif and Rabi seasons at all
the district head quarters. Later on, the staff of the
Deptt. of Agriculture organizes farmers training camps at
block and village level. Every year about 3 lakhs farmers
are trained on scientific crop production.
II. A
campaign is launched both in Kharif and Rabi seasons for
soil testing so that the farmers may use balanced dose of
fertilizers.
III. Punjab
State Seeds Corporation and other agencies produce certified
seeds of various crops and distribute to the farmers.
Department of Agriculture procures seeds from the Punseed
and distributes to the farmers at the focal points.
IV.
Field staff of the Department
of agriculture organizes demonstration plots particularly on
the use of seed treatment against pests, method of sowing,
irrigation and pests control.
V. Integrated
Pest Management is one of the major programme launched by
the Deptt. of Agriculture so that excessive use of
pesticides is reduced. For this purpose, farmers are
trained about the use of insecticides, economic thresh-hold
level of the damage caused by pests and minimum use of
pesticides.
Contact Information
Financial
Commissioner Development & Secretary to Govt. Punjab,
Deptt. Of Agriculture, Chandigarh
Phone: 0172-2742920 (O)
Fax: 0172-2747279
Director of Agriculture, Punjab,
S. C. F. 85-88, Sector 34-A,Chandigarh
Phone: 0172-2601567
Fax : 0172-2600275
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