He was addressing delegates during a Research and Extension Specialists’ workshop for Kharif crops, which began at PAU today.

Appreciating the step taken by the Punjab government last year of forcing farmers to transplant their paddy only after June 15, Dr Kang said such measures are necessary for the survival of agriculture in the state.

Dr Kang added that the university has promoted the cultivation of paddy variety PAU-201, which is suitable for transplantation after June 15.

He further advocated the adoption of other water saving technologies developed by the university, like using laser leveler, shifting the area from paddy to basmati cultivation, bed planting, use of tensiometre and growing crops that require less water.

Dr Kang said that for a nation to progress, agriculture must be made sustainable. “New technologies like biotechnology, information and communication technologies, and renewable energy technologies must be harnessed for launching an evergreen revolution,” he said.

He also showered praise on rice-breeder Dr G S Khush for providing funds worth 3.5 crore, out of his personal prize money to strengthen research at the PAU.

Dr Nirankar Singh, Joint Director, Agriculture said the state has set higher targets for the forthcoming kharif season as compared to last year.

Dr P S Minhas, PAU Director of Research said the new paddy variety PR-120 has yielded a better crop has compared to PR-111 and PR-115.