DASHMESH Mechanical Works has been given an appreciation ward by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australia, for their interest in the development of the happy seeder. The machine enables direct drilling of wheat into combine harvested paddy fields without any straw burning/removal. The eco-friendly machine will prove a boon to the farmers, said Malkiat Panesar of Dashmesh Mechanical Works.

The award was presented last night by Dr Christian Roth, Programme Manager ACIAR, at a function organised in the city. According to Panesar, PAU experts have recommended the use of the happy seeder, which can solve the problem of burning the fields after every harvest. The machine has already been taken by Australian Agricultural Research. The market price of the machine is Rs 60,000, he added.