Ludhiana, October 1
A training camp -cum-seminar was organised by the Jagraon Cooperative Sugar Mills at Jagraon to popularise the ring-pit method of sugarcane planting by nursery system.
It was attended by secretaries and chairpersons of all primary multipurpose cooperative societies and progressive farmers of the area. The ring-pit digger was also put on display at demonstration and the participants were told about its working and its advantages.
Mr Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, Deputy Registrar, Coop Societies, was the chief guest on the occasion. Addressing those present, Mr A.N. Singh Chauhan, GM, Jagraon Coop Sugar Mills Ltd, informed the farmers that this technique had been found successful in Punjab and most of the farmers had already adopted it due to higher productivity and higher income.
He said Mr Jarnail Singh of Singhawala obtained per acre yield of 709 quintals this season. Last year he had planted sugarcane with this technique in only half an acre, but after achieving a higher yield and profit now he planted sugarcane by this technique in three acres and the standing crop was likely to yield around 900
quintals an acre.
Although, the ring-pit method of planting was started 25 years ago in UP, it was labour and cost-intensive so it could not find favour with farmers. Not due to mechanisation, it became convenient as well as economical. Keeping in view the shortage of sugarcane in the area, further improvement has been introduced which reduced the requirement of seed from 60 quintals, per acre to 16-20 quintals per acre. He also described the techniques of raising cane seed nurseries for the purpose.
Revealing the secret of achieving such a high yield, Mr Chauhan explained that in this system total nutrients are provided in the pit and in the root zone, thus avoiding wastage. All the shoots are of same age, so uniformity is there in growth and sugar accumulation. Sufficient space between clump to clump and row to row allows proper light and air circulation to all plants, which is important for photosynthesis and food formation. The space in line and clumps facilitates spraying of insecticide seeded, even at full growth of the plant.
Mr Chauhan said since only 30 per cent of the area was utilised, it ensured proper and full use of water while nutrients and weeds were controlled by trash mulching. The most important point was that the sugarcane sets were placed at a depth which was always moist, hence, in case of drought, non-availability of one or two waterings did not affect the yield. He said by adopting this technique, a yield of 800 to 1,000 quintals of cane was being achieved by the farmers in the area.
He requested the secretaries of the multipurpose cooperative societies to procure ring-pit diggers so that farmers of the respective areas may be able to take advantages of the technique. He further said that the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab, had already issued a letter to the Dy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, for necessary action in the matter.
In addition, Mr Chauhan emphasised the need for using green manures, compost and organic manures instead of chemical furtilisers which was creating problems in maintaining soil texture and structure. He expressed concern on the declining water table every year due to exposes exploitation and by not undertaking conservation method for recharging the ground water. He also cautioned the farmers to diversify and come out of wheat-paddy rotation in their own interest as well as in the interest of soil and water conservation.
Mr Darshan Singh, ACDO, of the mill explained in detail the nursery technique of sugarcane planting and clarified the doubts of the farmers about the same. Mr Jasmail Singh of Singhawala village, who had obtained on yield of 709 quintals last year also shared his experiences with the participants.
Mr Sangha, Dy Registrar, Coop Societies, asked the secretaries of the societies to access the requirement of diggers from the farmers and procure on need basis so that member farmers of their respective area may also be able to take advantage of the technology and technique.
He also thanked the farmers and Secretaries of coop societies for their participation in the programme.
