Manage straw, SDM advises farmers

As part of the government’s ongoing awareness campaign on in-situ management of crop residue and prevention of stubble burning, the district administration organised meetings with farmers in villages Garhpathana, Garuppar, and Urappur. During these interactions, farmers were urged to manage paddy straw and other crop residues within their fields instead of burning them, to safeguard the environment and public health.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Anamjyot Kaur, along with DSP Raj Kumar and officers from the Agriculture Department, sensitised farmers about the harmful effects of stubble burning in the presence of village dignitaries.

The SDM explained that burning crop residue not only causes severe environmental pollution, but also destroys beneficial soil organism, reduces soil fertility, and adversely affects human health.

She further stated that the government has made various machines available to farmers to help them manage stubble efficiently within their fields. Farmers were encouraged to adopt these technologies for sustainable farming practices.

Highlighting the legal implications, Agriculture Department officials said if stubble burning is detected through satellite monitoring, strict action is taken, including inspection, red entry in records, imposition of fines, and registration of FIRs as per government guidelines.

Officials also advised farmers to contact their local agriculture officers for assistance in obtaining and using Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines. Additionally, the farmers were reminded that the government provides subsidies on various CRM machines to promote environment-friendly stubble management practices.