Farmer Training Camp on Crop Management and Sustainable Agriculture held in Ferozepur
Ferozepur, October 11, 2025: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ferozepur, organized a district-level farmer training camp at the Office of the Chief Agriculture Officer, Moga Road, Ferozepur, aimed at promoting judicious use of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, along with proper management of stubble to protect the environment. The camp, led by Randhir Singh Thakur, Chief Agriculture Officer, Ferozepur, focused on efficient cultivation practices for rabi crops.
The inauguration was conducted by MLAs S. Fauja Singh Sarari (Guruharsahai) and Shri Naresh Kataria (Zira), who encouraged farmers to adopt crop diversification instead of wheat and appealed against burning paddy stubble to safeguard the environment. They also assured that the Punjab government would provide improved wheat seeds free of cost to farmers in areas affected by drought.
Other chief guests included Rajneesh Kumar Dahiya, MLA Ferozepur Rural, and Ranbir Singh Bhullar, MLA Ferozepur City, who addressed over 1,000 farmers from various blocks. They emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources such as soil, water, and air and urged farmers to actively benefit from government schemes implemented for their welfare.
The camp was organized under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma, with Chief Agriculture Officer Randhir Singh Thakur overseeing proceedings. Farmers were briefed on the proper and judicious use of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to ensure sustainable agriculture. Shri Thakur assured farmers that high-quality seeds and essential farm inputs would be supplied across the district, preventing any shortages.
During the 2025-26 season, 72 samples of seeds, 109 samples of fertilizers, and 143 pesticide samples were collected, of which 2 pesticide samples, 1 fertilizer sample, and 3 seed samples were found substandard. Legal action is being taken against the concerned suppliers. Additionally, 335 tons of gypsum were provided at 50% subsidy to 180 farmers to improve alkaline soils. Under the Soil Health Card scheme, 11,302 field samples were collected for analysis, and results are being shared with respective farmers. An ICP soil testing laboratory has also been established at a cost of ₹1.39 crore to enable modern soil analysis.
The training camp featured 584 village, block, and district-level sessions disseminating the latest agricultural technology and expert recommendations. Under the “Aatma” scheme, exposure visits, farmer-scientist interactions, block-level farmer meetings, and farm trainings were organized to enhance farmer knowledge. Farm machinery modernization and stubble management initiatives were implemented under crop residue management schemes, with 1,093 machines provided to farmers at subsidized rates. Other farm machines worth ₹80.72 lakh were distributed under relevant schemes. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, 1,37,625 beneficiaries received financial assistance, while the Agriculture Department facilitated registration and documentation for new beneficiaries.
The camp also hosted exhibitions by the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Forest Department, Horticulture Department, Milkfed, Markfed, Lead Bank, fisheries, and private companies showcasing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm machinery. The Forest Department distributed 500 traditional shade and fruit-bearing saplings to farmers to promote environmental sustainability.
Technical guidance was provided by experts including Satinderpal Singh (Agricultural Engineer), Amit Punj (Agricultural Officer), Savandeep Sharma (Project Director, Aatma), and other specialists from Punjab Agricultural University. Topics covered included soil and water testing, crop management, proper market practices, disease prevention, and stubble management.