Vans to sensitise farmers against stubble burning in Mohali

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Sonam Chaudhary flagged off awareness vans from the District Administrative Complex here to spread awareness against stubble burning.

The ADC said this 40-day activity will be instrumental in awakening the farmers about the need for paddy straw management. She added that paddy stubble was useful for the farmers and should not be burnt. The crop residue can play an important role in enhancing the fertility of the soil if harvested in the field with the help of ultra-modern equipment.

She said the burning of stubble poses a danger to the environment and must be avoided at every cost.

Sonam asked the Agriculture Department, PPCB, Department of Co-operative Societies, Rural Development and Panchayats and others to intensify awareness activities in villages through public meetings, seminars, public announcements, etc.

The ADC said the Punjab Government had been proactive in supporting farmers with advanced machinery for stubble management. The government has provided 1,540 crop residue management machines on subsidy in SAS Nagar so far, including 28 machines for bundling paddy stubble. She urged farmers to maximise their use for clean and effective stubble management.

Dr Gurdial Kumar, Agriculture Development Officer; Lakhwinder Singh, Junior Technician; and other officials of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare were present.