Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar claims to have developed a cost, labour and time-effective as well as an environment-friendly technique of paddy transplantation which according to Vice-Chancellor J.C. Katyal would bring about a revolution in farming. Dr. Katyal said scientists of the University used this technique at 15 demonstration plots in Yamunanagar district last year with encouraging results.He further disclosed that a Chinese model of paddy transplantation was used under this new mechanism and paddy was transplanted over unploughed land, which resulted in 80 per cent saving of diesel and labour as compared to the traditional method. With the adoption of this new method, 30 to 33 paddy plants per square metre were planted which led to a 10 to 15 per cent increase in productivity, besides decrease in air pollution because of less fuel consumption.The cost of the new machine used in it according to Dr. Katyal is approximately Rs.1.70 lakh and five of these are presently available with the University. "Haryana, where 0.6 million hectares of land is being irrigated by tube-wells, needs 20,000 to 25000 such machines," he said, adding that another advantage of the use of this machine is lesser requirement of irrigation water.The University would urge the Central Government to give 50 per cent subsidy to farmers on this machine, he said.
The Hindu, Jul 17, 2008
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