Farmers’ Assistance Centre launched, to help in stubble management

With the start of paddy harvesting, the district administration has made special efforts to help farmers sow the next crop without burning stubble. Farmers bringing their paddy to the markets are being offered farm machines for stubble management through a simple phone call.

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said that a Farmers’ Assistance Centre has been opened at the District Administrative Complex. Farmers can call 0183-2220159 to get any kind of help related to stubble management. She said officials are also guiding farmers at the village level to ensure sowing without burning stubble. “This year, all types of machines are available in the district, so farmers will not face any difficulty,” she added.

Chief Agriculture Officer Baljinder Singh Bhullar said the department is in constant touch with farmers to provide machinery as per their needs. He added that the farmers who avoided stubble burning in the past have seen better yields, and appealed to others to follow this practice.

Assistant Agriculture Engineer Mandeep Singh said the district has 72 balers, 62 rakes and around 4,290 in-situ machines, including super seeders, zero till drills, smart seeders, happy seeders, mulchers, paddy straw choppers and others. Most of these machines have been provided on subsidy and are now being widely used for stubble management.

On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioners Rohit Gupta and Paramjit Kaur, District Food Supply Controller Amanjit Singh, District Mandi Officer Amandeep Singh and other officials were also present.