Kapurthala Farmer Replaces Urea with Dairy Slurry in Paddy Fields
Kapurthala, Punjab: A farmer in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, has adopted an integrated farming approach by replacing urea with dairy slurry on part of his paddy fields. Sukhjinder Singh of Mahabalipur village cultivates around 12 acres and also operates a dairy farm with about 50 cattle.
During the current paddy season, Singh cultivated PR 126 paddy on eight acres. On five acres, he did not apply urea and instead used slurry generated from his dairy farm. He told The Tribune that the paddy without urea was performing well compared with the crop where urea was applied, encouraging him to continue the practice.
The farmer's dairy operation is also connected to a gobar gas plant, which generates energy for the electricity requirements of his home and farm. This creates an integrated system in which livestock waste is converted into a farm input as well as an energy resource.
Agriculture Development Officer Jaspal Singh said the farmer was initially hesitant about cultivating the crop without conventional fertiliser inputs. The farmer remained in contact with the Agriculture Department and received guidance on the farming practices during the process.
Singh's farming practices extend beyond the use of dairy slurry. He has also avoided paddy stubble burning since 2014 and has diversified into crops including dragon fruit. Agriculture officials described his approach as an example of integrating dairy farming, crop cultivation, farm-waste utilisation and biogas production.
The example comes amid wider concerns over excessive fertiliser use in Punjab. Agriculture experts have previously advised farmers to use urea judiciously, noting that excessive application can increase input costs and contribute to environmental pollution.
Singh's experience is a single-farm example rather than evidence that dairy slurry can universally replace urea. Its significance lies in demonstrating how dairy slurry can potentially be incorporated into crop production as part of an integrated farming system, with field practices and results evaluated according to local soil and crop conditions.
Source: Dairynews7x7 16 Sep, 2026 Read full story here
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