As the golden hues of wheat fields start to fade, the vibrant green of paddy nurseries begins to emerge across the fertile lands of Punjab. With the wheat harvest underway and some farmers already reaping their yields, attention swiftly turns to the meticulous preparation required for the upcoming paddy season.
In Punjab, where agriculture is not just a livelihood but a way of life, the transition from wheat to paddy cultivation is a crucial moment for farmers. The success of the paddy crop hinges significantly on the health of the nursery, a fact well understood by agricultural experts and practitioners alike.
Amit Kaul, an authority from the Department of Agronomy at Punjab Agricultural University, stresses the importance of meticulous care in establishing the paddy nursery. “Paddy nursery should not be sown under shade and near straw heap,” he advises. “For sowing paddy nursery, the field should be close to the water source and free from pebbles and weeds.”
The significance of healthy seeds cannot be overstated, as Gagandeep Dhawan from PAU’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kapurthala, emphasizes. “To obtain maximum yield from any crop, the seed must be healthy, pure, and weedless,” Dhawan asserts. “Healthy seeds should be procured from reliable sources such as Punjab Agricultural University.”
Furthermore, Dhawan stresses the need for farmers to exercise caution when utilizing seeds saved from previous harvests. “If the paddy seed of desired variety has been kept by the farmer from the previous year’s crop, the farmer must check that the seed is free from any disease, pest attack, and weed seed mixture,” he advises.
As farmers across Punjab ready their fields for the paddy season, there is a shared sense of optimism and determination. The transition from wheat to paddy marks not just a change in crops but a continuation of the age-old agricultural practices that sustain the region’s economy and heritage.
In the coming weeks, as the first shoots of paddy break through the soil, farmers will labor tirelessly to nurture their crops to fruition. With careful planning, dedication, and adherence to expert advice, they hope to reap a bountiful harvest that will sustain both their families and the wider community.
As the rhythm of agricultural life in Punjab marches on, the promise of another successful harvest beckons, a testament to the enduring spirit of its hardworking farmers.
