SAHIWAL (Staff Reporter) A mega gathering of farmers was organized in Village 130/9-L, Tehsil Sahiwal, focused on the theme of Early Cotton Sowing. The event saw a massive turnout of progressive farmers from across the district, all showing keen interest in adopting modern production technologies to revive the cotton crop.
Distinguished Guests and Objectives
The event was graced by Dr. Muhammad Zahid, Director of Agriculture Extension (IPM) Punjab, as the Chief Guest. Welcoming the participants, Assistant Director of Agriculture Dr. Muhammad Aslam detailed the core objectives of the gathering. He emphasized that early sowing, coupled with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, is the only sustainable way to achieve high yields while significantly reducing input costs.
“To reap the full benefits of these awareness programs, active participation and full attention from the farming community are essential,” Dr. Aslam remarked.
Technical Insights on Cotton Production
Agriculture Officer Extension (Kameer), Abdul Qayyum, delivered a comprehensive technical lecture. He guided the farmers through the entire lifecycle of the crop, including:
Land Preparation: Best practices for soil readiness.
Seed Management: Use of recommended varieties and optimal seed rates.
Nutrient Management: Balanced use of fertilizers and irrigation scheduling.
Sowing Window: Why the early sowing timeframe is critical for avoiding seasonal risks.Explore
Biological Control: A Shift from Chemicals
Highlighting a greener approach, Ms. Maria Tehseen, Agriculture Officer at the Biological Control Laboratory Sahiwal, spoke about the pivotal role of “beneficial insects” in a sustainable agricultural system. She explained the process of breeding these friendly pests in the lab and announced that Bio-cards—containing the eggs of beneficial insects—are available to farmers free of cost at the laboratory. She urged farmers to adopt biological control methods to minimize the excessive and harmful use of chemical pesticides.
Practical Demonstration
The highlight of the event was a live demonstration by Chief Guest Dr. Muhammad Zahid, who showed farmers how various beneficial insects interact with the crop. He instructed the growers to ensure the use of Bio-cards under the IPM framework to control pests in an effective and eco-friendly manner.
The gathering concluded with a Q&A session where experts addressed the specific concerns of the farmers, marking a significant step toward a successful cotton season in the region.