Private sector agronomists training

Certificate distribution 

Six agronomists from Sugar Industry were given a short training in conservation agriculture on 14^th June, 2012. They were at Ayub agricultural Research Institute for training in sugarcane production practices. Training was imparted by Dr M. Aqil khan of CSISA, Pakistan. He dilated upon conservation agriculture practices which are being promoted emphasizing particularly the intercropping of field and vegetable crops in sugarcane or sugarcane in bed planted wheat. Sugarcane is a long duration crop planted in February or September. Crop is harvested in December-January so September planted crop stays in the field over a year period. In either case it is a year long crop permitting no other crop preceding or following it. Since sugarcane is planted in 3-4 feet apart rows, small farmers usually grow vegetables (onion, turnip, roots etc) or oilseed crops but this is a limited practice followed on no more than 10% of sugarcane area. Slow growth and wider row space make it amenable to intercropping, wheat on beds and sugarcane in furrows make an ideal combination. Sporadic efforts are under way but need to be systemized for larger adoption. Sugarcane planted in October- November in bed planted wheat can be easily adopted on large scale. The idea was appreciated by the industry workers and due to healthy effects of intercropping on sugarcane, sugar industry is prone to promote it. The training was conducted by training division of Plant Pathology Research Institute and Dr. Khan was the chief guest and distributed the certificates among the participants.

Dr. M. Aqil Khan addressing

Invitation lecture at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Dr. M. Aqil Khan, CSISA, Pakistan staff was an invited speaker at a seminar held at UAF on 9^th June, 2012. He spoke about direct seeded rice, its science and technology. Summing up the advantages of DSR for farmers and overall agriculture in the country he spoke about DSR technology and how it is different from the traditional paddy cultivation practices. DSR is aerobic crop production system which is in stark contrast to conventional practices and is environmentally distinct method impact on field fauna and flora. The aquatic pests presently associated with rice crop will give way to dry-conditions-loving weeds, diseases and insects. So slowly rice ecology would see a shift and some of the current problems would recede and new ones may crop up. He discussed in detail various crop production practices for DSR. This was a very timely exercise. Rice crop planting has begun so DSR technology created interest both in faculty and students. The seminar was chaired by Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, UAF. One hundred and ninety three faculty members and students participated. Concluding the talk Dr. Khan emphasized that the demonstration of new technology is a careful responsible prepositions. He advised scientists to ensure that farmers are conscious and willing to go any length to make it work. Good and motivated farmer, conducive field conditions and access to timely crop inputs would make the job easy.

Dr. M. Aqil Khan addressing

(Laft to right, Dr. Ehsanullah, Dr. M. Ashfaq, Dr. M. Aqil Khan and Dr. Asghar Ali)

Participants