Chandigarh, April 8 Punjab Minister of Soil and Water Conservation, Barinder Kumar Goyal, inaugurated the state's first central pivot irrigation system at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, on Wednesday.
This marks the first installation of this modern, automated irrigation technology in North India.
Speaking on the occasion, Goyal urged scientists, officers, and students to focus on innovation and adopt cutting-edge farming technologies, especially in the emerging era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He highlighted the critical groundwater situation in Punjab and emphasized the urgent need to promote modern irrigation methods for water conservation.
Describing the technology, the minister said the central pivot irrigation system offers a one-time, fully automated irrigation solution, which is particularly beneficial for Punjab's farms facing acute labor shortages.
He explained that the system requires no manual intervention – precision irrigation for a 3-acre field can be achieved simply by entering the required data, allowing the entire operation to be completed in a single cycle.
He highlighted various schemes and programs being implemented by NABARD in Punjab's agriculture and rural infrastructure sectors.
He assured full support for innovative and path-breaking initiatives like this one, along with continued assistance for ongoing and upcoming projects.
Chief Conservator of Soils, Mohinder Singh Saini, provided technical details of the NABARD-assisted project.
He explained that inverted sprinkler systems are mounted on a 60-meter-long arm that revolves around a central pivot point, irrigating a 3-acre circular area without any manual labor.
He added that the system significantly improves water use efficiency, enhances crop yields, and will serve as a model for modern irrigation practices across the state.