| PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi

Farmer's Outreach Activity (Wheat & Canola) Report for Years 2024-25 (District Attock)

Date: 05-11-2024

Venue: Village Gariyala, Tehsil & District Attock

Follow Up visit: Date: 15-02-2025

Following team members attended the visit:

Dr. Rifat Hayat (Coordinator)
Engr.Ubaid ur Rehman (Agri.Engg.)
Dr. Munir Ahmad (PBG)
Mr. Muneeb Hassan (Ex-Student)
Mr. Aown Afzal (Student, Soil Science)
Malik Rajab Ali (Lab Assistant, Attock Campus)
Pervaiz Ahmed (Security Supervisor, Attock Campus)
Farmers of Village Gariyala

Enhancing Wheat & Canola Productivity through Mechanization, Seed & Fertilizer Management

Objectives:

Educate farmers on the benefits of mechanized sowing and Seed & Fertilizer Management
Demonstrate seed drill calibration for uniform seed distribution.
Highlight the importance of seed treatment with fungicides and beneficial bacteria.
Provide guidance for Soil Sampling/testing and balanced fertilizer application for optimal growth.

Target Audience:

Wheat and Canola farmers
Agricultural extension workers
Students and researchers in agriculture

Location & Timing:

Location: Village Gariyala, Tehsil & District Attock.
Time: November 05, 2024 (ideal wheat sowing window).

Agenda & Activities:

1. Registration & Welcome (30 mins)

Farmers register and receive informational materials.
Brief introduction by university professors.

2. Theoretical Session (1 hour)

Seed Selection and Sowing

Importance of Seed Selection (Variety) for maximizing Yield
Importance of Mechanized Seed Sowing and Planting

Mechanized Wheat Sowing

Benefits of mechanized sowing over traditional methods.
Types of wheat sowing machines (seed drills, zero-till drills, bed planters).

Drill Calibration & Sowing Techniques

Proper adjustment of seed drill settings for uniform sowing.
Correct seed rate (kg per acre) for optimal plant population.

Seed Treatment for Disease & Growth Promotion

Application of fungicides (e.g., Carbendazim, Thiram) to prevent seed-borne diseases.
Use of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma) for plant health. (Source; BioZote, NARC).

Soil Sampling, Testing and Fertilizer Management

Soil Sampling Techniques and importance of Soil Testing before sowing
Fertilize Calculations, Recommended doses of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
Use of DAP, Urea, SOP/MOP at different growth stages.

3. Field Demonstration (1.5 hours)

Seed Drill Calibration & Operation

Live demonstration of setting seed drill depth, row spacing, and seed rate.
Adjusting fertilizer attachment for efficient nutrient placement.

Practical Seed Treatment

Mixing fungicides and biofertilizers with wheat seed.
Safe handling and application techniques.

Demonstration of Fertilizer Application

Best practices for basal (DAP) and top-dressing (Urea) application.
Using soil testing kits for nutrient assessment.

Wheat Sowing

Wheat Seeds (Variety MA-21) used for sowing were treated with fungicide and Biozote to reduce the attack of seed borne pathogens and to get healthy crop stand. Wheat crop was sown on 05-11-2024 with Rabi Drill.

Canola Seed Distribution & Technology Adoption

Canola seeds were distributed among farmers with recommendations to use the same mechanized sowing techniques, seed treatment, and fertilizer management as practiced for wheat.

4. Interactive Q&A Session (30 mins)

Farmers share experiences and ask questions.
Experts provide solutions to common sowing and fertilization challenges.

5. Distribution of Educational Material & Follow-Up Plans (30 mins)

Providing booklets, leaflets, and seed treatment charts.
Connecting farmers with University Professor for follow-up visits.

Expected Outcomes:

Improved seed placement and germination using drill calibration.
Reduced seed-borne diseases through proper seed treatment.
Enhanced wheat yield and soil fertility with balanced fertilization.
Increased adoption of mechanized sowing techniques.

Follow-Up Report on Wheat & Canola Outreach Activity (2024-2025)

Date of Visit: 15-02-2025

Location: Village Gariyala, Tehsil & District Attock

Team Members: Following team members attended the visit:

Dr. Rifat Hayat (Coordinator)
Mr. Aown Afzal (Student, Soil Science)
Malik Rajab Ali (Lab Assistant, Attock Campus)
Pervaiz Ahmed (Security Supervisor, Attock Campus)
Respective Farmers of Village Gariyala

Wheat Crop Observations:

Crop Stand & Germination:

The wheat crop exhibited excellent stand establishment despite the ongoing dry spell since sowing.
Germination was uniform, indicating proper seed drill calibration and optimal seed placement.

Moisture Retention & Drought Resilience:

The crop sustained the dry spell effectively, demonstrating the impact of mechanized sowing and good field preparation.
Proper drill calibration ensured optimal seed-soil contact, reducing moisture loss.

Effectiveness of Seed Treatment:

No significant incidence of seed-borne diseases was observed.
Treated seeds with fungicides and beneficial bacteria contributed to better root development and early vigor helped crop withstand during long drought.
Wild boar attacks on seeds in the soil were significantly reduced because treated seeds became less attractive to pests.

Nutrient Management:

Fertilization was well-executed, as indicated by uniform crop growth and healthy green color.
Farmers followed recommendations for DAP at sowing and planned top-dressing with Urea.

Canola Crop Observations:

Farmers showed interest in adopting canola cultivation for crop diversification and increased farm profitability.
Canola crop showed stress due to the prolonged dry spell since sowing.
Wilting and slow growth were observed, indicating the need for moisture conservation practices.
Some fields with better soil moisture retention had relatively healthier plants.

Possible Reasons for Canola Stress:

Lack of timely rainfall or irrigation – Canola is more sensitive to moisture stress in the early growth stages.
Shallow seed placement in some fields. Poor root development in drier conditions.
Soil type variation; Sandy or lighter soils retained less moisture.

Farmer Feedback:

Farmers expressed satisfaction with mechanized sowing, reporting improved labor efficiency.
They acknowledged the benefits of seed treatment in preventing diseases.
Many farmers were surprised that seed treatment also deterred wild boars, a major issue in the area.
Many farmers showed interest in adopting mechanization for future crops.
Over all farmers were satisfied with wheat crop performance. They acknowledged moisture stress in canola and agreed to adopt the suggested drought mitigation measures. They requested guidance on alternative solutions for water conservation.

Recommendations for Further Improvement of Wheat Crop:

Monitor Weed Growth: Farmers should conduct timely weed control to avoid competition.
Second Follow-Up Visit: Plan another visit before harvesting to assess crop condition under filed and nutrient uptake.
Encourage Farmer Networks: Create a farmer group to share best practices and experiences.

Recommendations for Further Improvement of Canola Crop:

Moisture Conservation Practices: Farmers were advised to apply mulching or residue retention to minimize evaporation.
Promote Water-Efficient Techniques: Encourage farmers to explore rainwater harvesting, soil amendments, and conservation tillage.
Irrigation Scheduling: If possible, apply light irrigation at critical growth stages.
Foliar Spray for Stress Mitigation: Suggested potassium-based foliar spray to improve drought tolerance. For Monitor Canola Recovery: Another visit will assess crop improvement after recommended interventions.
Timely Weeding: Removing weeds to reduce competition for moisture.
Arrange Training on Drought-Resistant Crops: Introduce varieties better suited for Dry conditions.

Report Prepared by:-

Dr. Rifat Hayat, Associate Professor (Soil Science)	Administrator; PMAS-AAUR Sub-Campus Attock
Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences,	Coordinator; Out Reach District Attock
PMAS, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
[email protected]; 0300-9798710	[email protected]; 0300-9798710