Burning of paddy stubble continues

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 27

Despite of the fact that the efforts have been made by the Agriculture Department to persuade the farmer not to indulge in the paddy residue burning, the practice is still prevalent among the farmers.

Since the paddy harvesting has culminated in the region, majority of the farmers in the region are using an easier way to get rid of the residues left after harvesting of the crop.

It has been years since the farmers have been indulging in such a practice yet the Agriculture Department has failed to check this menace.

Speaking to The Tribune on the issue, Dr Bakshish Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Jalandhar, said: “The practice of burning the wheat residue causes air and soil pollution apart from diminishing the fertility level of the soil. However, the messages are being conveyed to the farmers in the camps that what sort of destruction caused by burning the residues causes. Apart from this sometimes it does lead to some accidents.”

“Creating awareness is only come in our jurisdiction. On the other hand, farming tools, including rotavator, paddy chopper, zero till drill machines and happy seeder are being provided on subsidy by the Agriculture Department which is most suitable for the removal of stubble of sugarcane, wheat, banana, cotton and paddy.

“Since these farming equipments are costly, farmer could take them on rent societies for uses,” he said.

“Making a law against will not be possible solution of the problem. However, the farmers are being made aware of the consequences of the same. Many farmers in the region have stopped this practice,” claimed Dr Bakshish.