A training programme was organised by Reviving Green Revolution Cell and Department of Agriculture, Punjab — (DoA) — in association with Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The training programme was held at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana campus. A total of 271 'scouts' have been trained in this training programme conducted in three batches (each of 4 days duration) during March 21–24, 2011; March 24–27, 2011; March 27–30, 2011. The remaining 29 scouts were imparted training at the Chief Agricultural Officer’s office at Bathinda, during April 6–9, 2011. In total 300 scouts were imparted training on Cotton IPM technology. A comprehensive lecture schedule was prepared by Department of Entomology, PAU, Ludhiana, which consisted of topics covered on crop production and crop protection particularly giving more emphasis on nutrition in Bt cotton. The scouts were provided theoretical and practical training on insect pest / disease identification as well as spray technology.

The 300 scouts represent 300 villages in 33 Blocks of 9 major cotton growing districts. This year approximately 3 lakh acres would be covered under Cotton IPM umbrella. Specific orientation was given to scouts for their duties that they are supposed to perform during implementation of the project. During the training programme technical support was provided by PAU experts, RGR consultants (Dr AS Sohi and Dr AL Sharma) and field officers working in Cotton IPM project.

After the initial four-day training at PAU and Bathinda, these scouts will now be trained during the crop season at their respective districts' headquarters of DoA, which is the key partner in implementation of the project. The Trusts and DoA are contributing equally towards the financials of the project. Over the years, the scouts model has proved very helpful in bridging the gap in the transfer of technology from University / DoA to farmers in their fields. The scouts will prove instrumental in transferring IPM technology to farmers, helping them in getting good yields, and in reducing cost of cultivation as a result of timely and judicious use of inputs.