Restraining Paddy Straw Burning through FLDs on Happy Seeder in Punjab

The study was conducted with the prime objective of motivating the farmers to shun paddy straw-burning; adopt the resource efficient technologies and evaluating the economics of wheat sown with PAU Happy Seeder. To purpose this objective, a total of 400 demonstrations were conducted on wheat sown with PAU, Happy seeder in rabi 2017-18 and 2018-19 in two adopted villages of Sangrur viz; Chtaha Nanhera and Taranji Khera under Farmer FIRST Project. Two varieties PBW 725 and HD 3086 were selected for FLDs and farmers’ practice. The economics of the demonstration and farmers’ practice have been calculated. In case of PBW 725 the B:C ratio of the demonstrated field and farmers practice was found to be 4.20 and 3.46 respectively in 2017-18 and 4.49 and 3.71 respectively in 2018-19. In this way the B:C ratio of HD 3086 in the demonstrated field and farmers practice was found to be 4.36 and 3.55 respectively during 2017-18 and 4.70 and 3.86 respectively in 2018-19. Collectively combine data over the varieties over the years shown that overall cost of cultivation was Rs 21788/ha in FLD plots and Rs 26358/ha in farmers’ practice. Gross return was Rs 96823/ha in FLD plots and Rs 96263/ha in local check and BC ratio achieved in FLD plots was 4.44 as compared to 3.65 of local check.