Campaign to check stubble-burning begins

A big campaign has started in the district to ask farmers not to burn stubble (parali), the leftover straw after harvesting paddy. The campaign is being led by Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney.

Even though the paddy harvesting season is still some time away, the district administration has already started preparations to make sure that no farmer burns stubble this year. The aim is to protect the environment and help farmers improve their fields without harming nature, said Sakshi Sawhney.

The Deputy Commissioner has asked the Agriculture Department to provide more machines to manage stubble properly. Special awareness camps are also being held in many villages to educate farmers.

One such camp was organised at Gaggomahal village in the Ajnala area. Officials, including SDM Ravinder Singh, Agriculture Officer Dr Harbhinder Singh and others were present, during the camp.

During the event, SDM Ravinder Singh requested farmers not to burn stubble. He encouraged them to use eco-friendly methods like in-situ management, where straw is mixed back into the soil. These methods improve soil health and reduce pollution, he said.

Agriculture experts informed farmers that those who did not burn stubble last year got two to three quintals more yield and used less fertiliser. Some farmers also shared their positive experiences of growing wheat without burning the previous crop’s straw.