Chief General Manager

Dr. Rajesh Pratap Singh

Chief General Manager, University Farm

G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

Pantnagar – 263145, Uttarakhand, India

Contacts

+91-7500941100 (M)

cgmfarm@gbpuat.ac.in

About Department

UNIVERSITY FARM (ISO 9001:2000 & 9001:2008 Certified) In The Service of Nation for Evergreen Revolution

Land of University Farm was handed over by the then Govt. of Uttar Pradesh on 19th October, 1962 with the objective of producing high quality seed. At present approximately 2341.41 ha. land is available with the University Farm which is utilized for commercial seed production.

For efficient management, the land is divided into three zones, viz. Western Zone (Matkota) with 206.51 ha, Central Zone (Haldi), 729.39 ha and Eastern Zone (Beni) with 1405.51 ha. Each zone is further divided in to blocks consisting of about 200 ha. each. At present, there are 11 blocks. An agricultural workshop is situated at Beni to undertake repair and maintenance of agriculture implements, tractors etc.

Activities

Activities

University Farm produces large quantity of breeder, foundation and certified seed of major food grain, pulses and oilseed crops such as wheat, paddy, urd, moong, lahi and soybean and orchards besides that of commercial sugarcane. The seed is supplied to U.K. Seeds and TDC, NSC, and sold from the University Farm sale counter itself. Apart from commercial seed production, the University Farm also has orchards and agro-forestry systems.

Agriculture Activities

• Seed production of cereals, pulses, oilseed and sugarcane.
• Orchards of different varieties of mango and lichi.
• Crop production in agro-forestry system to sustain farm productivity.
• Crop residue management to maintain soil organic carbon.
• Commercial production of wheat, rice and sugarcane.
• Integrated nutrient management in crop production.
• Use of safety measures for agriculture labourers and field staff.

Management of Technical Operations for Farm Engineering, Machinery and Irrigation

The Technical Section of the University Farm serves as the engineering and mechanization hub of the farm’s agricultural operations. It is responsible for the planning, operation, maintenance, and modernization of the farm’s engineering infrastructure to ensure efficient, reliable, and sustainable agricultural production. The section oversees farm mechanization through the management, deployment, and maintenance of a diverse fleet of 35–75 HP tractors and a comprehensive range of agricultural machinery and implements, including ploughs, cultivators, seed drills, harrows, hydraulic harrows, levelers, balers, super seeders, zero-till seed drills, ditchers, mouldboard and automatic reversible ploughs, and trailed and mounted boom sprayers. Technicians carry out preventive maintenance, repairs, and servicing to keep all machinery in optimal working condition and minimize operational downtime during critical farming seasons. The section also develops and maintains irrigation infrastructure, including pumps and water distribution networks, while managing electrical systems such as motors and power supply to ensure uninterrupted farm operations. In addition, it maintains farm roads, workshops, and other farm assets; manages spare parts inventory and equipment records; and promotes the adoption of precision agriculture, smart irrigation, and other advanced engineering technologies to enhance productivity, operational efficiency, resource conservation, and the long-term sustainability of the University Farm.

Diversification:

The activities of farm have been diversified for sustained long-term productivity. Incorporation of legumes during spring/summer season in rice-wheat cropping system, green manuring for soil health for sustainable production with sesbania/Sunhemp, orchards/ plantations, intercropping of sugarcane with toria and lentil, urd and mustard. Under MOU with M/S Century Pulp & Paper Ltd., Lalkuan has been signed for the plantation of Eucalyptus (50000/year and total of 3.0 lacs plants) under buy-back guarantee system.

New Approaches

Contract Farming

As per the directives of state govt. the farm management decided to rent out the some of land of the University Farm to progressive farmers and seed growing agencies for seed production under contract farming program and thus strengthening the economy of farm. The additional benefits realized through contract farming are the efficient utilization of land, proper use of resources and reduced pilferage. Profit generated through the contract farming is utilized to strengthen the infrastructure and meet out the additional expenses of the University.

Approach towards Model Hi-Tech Farm

Consistent improved management and timely operations helped in strengthening the economic status of University Farm. The total receipt of the University Farm is increasing over the years. The farm, being a predominantly commercial agriculture, is trying to improve its farming system and its productivity by adopting modern techniques and advanced agriculture equipment, IT tools and by inculcating team spirit among working community of farm. Farm has improved one step forward by getting it accredited with ISO 9001-2000 & 9001:2008 and become India’s first ISO certified seed production farm and inching towards establishing it as Model Hi-Tech Farm.

New Initiatives:

• Enhanced mechanization in Sugarcane with Cane planter, Ratoon management machine, trench planter and mulcher. Planning to introduce sugarcane harvester in future.
• Included in rice-wheat cropping system. Sesbania, green manuring are being done to enhance the soil and crop productivity.
• MOU signed with M/S Century Pulp & Paper Ltd., Lalkuan for Eucalyptus plantation.
• Intercropping was initiated in sugarcane and Eucalyptus plantation.
• Mechanized cultivation of maize by using Pneumatic planter and combine harvester.
• Harela Garden was established to celebrate Uttarakhand’s Lokparv ‘Harela’; tree plantation is taken up on this occasion every year.
• Establishment of an organic block to promote climate resilient agriculture.
• Seed production of oilseeds and pulses is being taken up at large scale.
• Seed production of hill crops and varieties suitable for farming in hills.

Resource Conservation Technologies

Burning of the crop residues at University Farm has been strictly prohibited. Several optional technologies turning by Mould Board Plough, use of Mulcher, sowing directly by Supper Seeder in standing residues, use of Bed Planter etc. are being adopting to retain the crop residues. Bracketing of paddy straw and sugarcane leaves is done to solve the problem of Parali burning.

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