Farmers Outreach Program (Rawalpindi Group)

University outreach program strengthened the link between university and the farmers of Pothwar region. Outcomes of last year’s comprehensive outreach program attracted farmers to actively participate in it. During the Rabi season 2021-2022 program was launched on relatively larger scale with emphasizing on increasing per acre yield of three major crops of barani areas i.e wheat, chickpea and brassica. For field demonstration, progressive farmers were selected and new certified varieties of wheat (Fakhar-e-Bakkar), brassica (Barani canola), chickpea (Bittel 2016) were sown in farmer’s fields in rainfed areas of district Rawalpindi and vegetable seed kits for kitchen gardening were also distributed through balloting. Farmers’ gatherings were organized pre and post sowing of Rabi crops. In these meetings, farmers were comprehensively briefed about the latest production technologies of Rabi crops and their problems were addressed on the spot by field specialists Rawalpindi team.

Seed Treatment and Sowing of Crops

Seeds used for sowing were treated with fungicide to reduce the attack of seed borne pathogens and to get healthy crop stand. Wheat crop was sown on 25-10-2021 with rabi drill. Brassica and chickpea were sown on 28-10-2021.

On 16-12-2021 Rawalpindi team 1 st time visited demonstration plots (D-Plots) planted on farmer fields to observe crop condition. Three D-plots of wheat (Fakhar-e-Bakkar) were planted at village Phambrray Gujjran, Koont and Gangothi. Seed germination was good at Phambrray Gujjran and Gangothi but at Koont it was poor, both broad leaf and narrow leaf weeds were found and based on weed population assessment broad leaf weedicide Kick (Flouroxypyr Meptyl+MCPA+ Floroslam) 350 ml/acre) and narrow leaf weedicide Clodinafop Proporgyl (120g/acre) were suggested and their foliar application was done.

During the second visit on 01-02-2022, weed control and over all crop condition was found satisfactory when demonstration plot was compared with conventional practiced crop at village Phambrray Gujjran and Gangothi. But crop condition at village Koont was unsatisfactory. As, at initial stage, crop was severely affected by drought stress but after good spell of rainfall crop is gaining momentum gradually.

The team advised the farmers to go for the foliar application of urea (not exceeding 1% concentration of the solution) to get better results. Remain vigilant about expected issues like wheat rust, aphid infestation on brassica and Ascochyta blight on chickpea.

32 Plants per square meter

Out of 32 Five (05) plants were selected randomly for Further Measurements and Two (02) Owns from all Tillers of each Plant.





Conclusion

Most important factor of low yield of wheat was non-availability and high pricing of DAP and urea fertilizers in the local market. As communicated by local farmers, crop condition of the area is unsatisfactory due to high pricing and non-availability of DAP and Urea fertilizers and the use of fertilizers was less than normal in this season which may result in low per acre yield of wheat in Pothwar region. However, the condition of demonstration plots was satisfactory as all inputs were applied timely and in proper way as per recommendations.