University Outreach Program (Jhelum Group)

Overview:

University outreach Jhelum team visited two tehsils of district Jhelum i.e. tehsil Jhelum and Sohawa dated 02.02.2022. Majority of the team members both from faculty as well as students from different departments join the visit schedule. Team met the contact farmers, visited their crops and given site specific technical advice about weedicides and urea application. In winter sowing season 2021-22, three major crops seeds were distributed among farming community including wheat (Fakhar e Bhakkar), chickpea (Bittel 2016) and brassica (Chakwal sarsoon) along with small packets of vegetable seeds to promote kitchen gardening among the farming community. Farmers were happy with wheat variety Fakhar-e-bhakkar variety. Physical dominance is very apprarent. Hopefully if environmental conditions favoured the crops, wheat, brassica, chickpea will produce clear difference than local varieties.

Fig.1: Comparison of newly introduced wheat variety Fakhr-e-Bakhar with local sown variety at Moza Jhangi Misri


Fig 2: Pictorial view of improved wheat variety Fakhar-e-Bhakkar sown in comparison with local farmer variety in Village Badlot (Team member showing difference of leaf area of both varieties to farmers which is very apparent).

Wheat variety Fakhr-e-bhakar sown timely with all improved practices showed clear difference in growth than local verities with their traditional practices. Plant height, leaf area and number of tillers all have marked difference in comparison with local sown varieties. The recent rainfall gave good boost to all the crops sown in the area. Similarly, brassica improved variety “Chakwal sarsoon” performing well in field with overall good crop condition. The honey bees were found collecting nectars from the flowers while there was no insect attack observed at the crop.

Fig 3: Pictorial view of brassica variety Chakwal Sarsoon in tehsil Jhelum village Badlot (team members observing the demonstration crop plots for insect pests)

Chickpea variety “Bittel 2016” also performing good in field in spite of that the crop was sown after the harvest of sorghum crop on sandy loam soil. Nodulation is at peak stage and its yield performance will be outstanding than any locally sown verities based on plant height, branches and number of nodules in roots.

Fig 4: Pictorial view of chickpea variety performance and good nodulation in field

Dr. Muhammad Farooq Iqbal, as an expert of animal science, interacted with livestock farmers for diagnosing different problems particularly related to milk production and reproduction. He guided the livestock farmers about care and Management of animals through use of the latest production technologies. He guided the farmers for regular vaccination, supplementation and deworming.

Fig 4: Dr. Muhammad Farooq Iqbal (animal science) writing prescription for farmers regarding livestock management (vaccination, supplementation and deworming)

Issues being faced by farming Community:

• Currently farmers facing shortage of fertilizers especially urea for spilt application. Secondly the availability of good quality weedicides is also lack in market. Guidance provided in this regard for the selection of effective weedicides especially narrow leaf weeds and their sources as well. Similarly, farmers were also guided about spray of urea and micronutrients to increase the fertile number of tillers and grains.
• Farmers were also recommended green manuring in coming summer season to enhance the organic matter in the soil and increase water holding capacity of the soil which are major issues being faced by farming community in Pothowar.
• Farmers were also guided to remain vigilant of rust attack especially on wheat crop as under humid and high temperature is expected in near future. Fungicides were also noted down in case of any appearance of disease.
• Animal science expert guided the farmers for regular vaccination, supplementation and deworming to keep good health and production of their herd.