Seminar for Convergence in Crop Residue Management organized
Ludhiana, January 31, 2026: A seminar on “Convergence for Change: Policy, Research and Extension in Crop Residue Management” was organized on Friday at the 6th India Agri Expo 2026, Ludhiana Exhibition Centre, Sahnewal, jointly by ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) and Punjab Agricultural University.
The programme was graced by S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, Cabinet Minister for Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Water Supply and Sanitation, Housing and Urban Development, Government of Punjab, as the Chief Guest. In his address, the Minister emphasized the need for coordinated and convergent action among policy, research, extension, industry and farming communities to tackle the challenge of crop residue burning and to promote sustainable, environment-friendly solutions in Punjab.
The seminar witnessed the participation of policymakers, scientists, extension professionals, industry representatives, Custom Hiring Centre owners, aggregators, KVK Heads & Scientists and more than 30 progressive farmers. Technical sessions focused on the status and challenges of crop residue management, innovations in farm machinery, policy perspectives of the Government of Punjab, remote sensing-based monitoring of residue burning, and emerging residue-to-energy pathways.
A panel discussion on “Convergence for Change” highlighted the importance of institutional convergence and stakeholder partnerships for scaling up proven technologies and practices. The deliberations concluded with an open discussion outlining a practical roadmap and way forward for strengthening adoption of sustainable crop residue management practices across the state.
