In a recent training session held in Sirsa, agriculture experts strongly advised farmers against early sowing of guar (cluster beans) due to the heightened risk of pest attacks and reduced yields. The event, organized by the local agriculture department, aimed to educate farmers on optimal sowing times and modern farming techniques.
Key Recommendations for Guar Cultivation
Experts emphasized that guar should be sown only after the onset of monsoon, typically in the last week of June or early July. Early sowing, they warned, exposes the crop to pink mealybug and other pests, leading to significant losses. Farmers were also advised to use certified seeds and treat them with fungicides before sowing.
Training Highlights
The session covered various aspects of guar farming, including land preparation, seed rate, irrigation management, and integrated pest management. Demonstrations were given on soil testing and the use of bio-fertilizers to improve soil health. Farmers were encouraged to adopt crop rotation and avoid monocropping to maintain soil fertility.
- Seed Treatment: Use of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens to prevent root rot.
- Irrigation: Avoid waterlogging; apply light irrigation at flowering and pod formation stages.
- Pest Control: Monitor for jassids, whiteflies, and pod borers; use neem-based pesticides if needed.
The agriculture department also distributed informational pamphlets and announced plans for follow-up workshops. Farmers expressed gratitude for the timely advice, noting that many had considered early sowing due to recent dry spells.
