Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Solidifies Agreement with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to Combat Stubble Burning Through Application of Surface Seeding Technology in Punjab

In a significant development for Punjab's agricultural sector, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have joined forces to promote environmentally friendly farming practices. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions was signed on May 21, 2025.

The collaboration aims to drive the adoption of PAU's innovative farming technology, known as "Simultaneous Sowing of Wheat While Harvesting Rice," and the Surface Seeder Machine developed by the university. This technology allows for rice harvesting and wheat sowing to be integrated into a single operation using a combine harvester fitted with a specially designed seeding attachment.

According to Dr. Jasvir Singh Gill, a key agronomist behind the innovation, the system offers precise seed placement and an efficient use of crop residue as mulch. Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research at PAU, emphasized that the technology eliminates the need for residue burning and reduces input costs. He also noted that the timely wheat sowing, made possible by this method, helps farmers avoid heat stress and improve yields.

The leftover paddy straw is evenly spread across the field, forming a natural mulch that conserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds, enriches soil organic matter, and eliminates the need to burn crop residue. This not only benefits the environment but also contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices.

CII officials expressed confidence that the partnership will boost large-scale adoption of conservation agriculture in Punjab. Chandrakant Pradhan of the CII Foundation underlined the importance of involving farmer producer organizations, rural youth, and service providers to drive grassroots adoption of the technology.

Sunil Kumar Misra, CEO and Principal Advisor of CII, commended PAU's leadership in field-based innovations and reiterated CII's commitment to promoting sustainable solutions through public-private partnerships.

Under the agreement, PAU will offer technical know-how, conduct field demonstrations, and support participatory research, while CII will focus on outreach, awareness campaigns, training programs, and building farmer capacity.

The Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched the 'One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team' initiative in Nagpur on the same day, but this is not directly related to the MoU between PAU and CII. However, the initiative underscores the government's commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in the agricultural sector.

The partnership between PAU and CII also extends to the "Cleaner Air, Better Life" program, which promotes hydrogen and electric vehicle development in Punjab. This program, jointly run by the two institutions, aims to reduce stubble burning and promote environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for Punjab's agricultural sector. With the combined efforts of PAU and CII, farmers in the region can look forward to adopting innovative and environmentally friendly farming technologies, leading to increased yields, reduced costs, and a healthier environment.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Solidifies Agreement with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to Combat Stubble Burning Through Application of Surface Seeding Technology in Punjab