March 21, 2020

Topic:- Environment

As a result of awareness-cum-incentive based measures taken by the Punjab government, and support received from various private organisations, the problem of stubble burning has been contained to a large extent in the state in the last two years. These measures are likely to continue in the coming years to minimise the damage done to the environment.

The state Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has provided nearly 52,000 equipments for the management of paddy residue to farmers at a subsidy of between 50-80%.
These include primary equipment for the management of paddy straw-like Happy Seeders, Super Seeders, Paddy Chopper Shredders, Mulchers and Reversible Mould Board Ploughs.
Secondary equipment, that is required to facilitate the primary equipment, has also been provided to farmers and includes Super Straw Management Attachment with Combine Harvesters, Rotary Slashers/Shrub Masters/Cutter cum Spreaders, Zero Till Drills and Rotavators.
In addition, 219 Balers and 192 Rakes have been provided as per the demand of farmers under Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

As a result of these measures, the number of paddy straw burning incidents reduced by 15 % in 2019, compared to the previous year. The area under residue burning also went down to 41.83%.

Farmers have realized the value of using paddy stubble in improving soil health, thereby saving on fertilizer, weedicides/pesticides and ensuring better crop growth. Now large patches of agriculture fields can be seen with wheat sown in paddy stubble all over the state. Similarly, a large number of farmers have incorporated the stubble in the soil before sowing/planting vegetable crops such as potato and peas.
Those taking the lead in not burning paddy straw have also been recognized and honoured at various platforms across the state to enlist the support of other farmers.

(Source:- The Tribune)