Senior Agricultural Engineer-cum-Head Dr SS Ahuja chaired the meeting. He said that more than 90 trials have been laid out in the state, covering an area of 225 acres. The performance is highly satisfactory and crop stand is very good. About 30 prominent agricultural engineers from the State Department of Agriculture, Punjab, three manufacturers of happy seeder and some progressive farmers attended the meeting.

Dr Manmohan Kalia, Agricultural Engineer Jalandhar division, made a comprehensive presentation on the performance of the machinery in various districts. Some of the progressive farmers said that this is a very good machine. It will not only curb burning of paddy straw but will also go a long way in improving soil fertility. It was felt that weed control is very effective even without pesticide use, due to presence of mulch.

Joint Director Dr DR Kataria, the chief guest, referred to promotional programmes like distribution of free seed/or providing cash subsidy to the users of happy seeder in the initial stages for boosting this technology to avoid paddy straw burning.