Farmers pledge to refrain from stubble-burning

Mahesh Sharma

Boparai Khurad (Raikot), October 16

Farmers of this village and surrounding localities vowed to adopt zero crop residue-burning during peasantry. The aim is to enhance their economic position and prevent environmental pollution.

An oath was taken in response to a call made by office-bearers and activists of various organisations led by the Vice-Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Ludhiana Zone Council. Dr Harminder Singh Sidhu, director, Gadri Baba Dulla Singh and Giani Nihal Singh Foundation, led the farmers, mostly paddy cultivators.

CII Executive Officer Naresh Sekhri informed that farmers associated with at least 18 groups in various villages of Ludhiana district had responded positively to the initiative taken by the confederation in discouraging the practice of stubble-burning.

A demonstrative project, which was scheduled to be launched in various localities of Ludhiana and Patiala districts, was formally kicked off from this village today.

The inaugural function was chaired by Raikot SDM Dr Himanshu Gupta and Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon was the keynote speaker.

The foundation has prepared a draft plan to enable about 15,000 acres of farmland go stubble-burning free in ensuing paddy harvesting season, claimed officials of the CII.

Appreciating the slogan conceived by the organisers “Cleaner Air Better Life”, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon reminded that even the first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev had advocated necessity of keeping environment pious by saying ‘Pawan Guru Paani Pita Maata Dharat Mahatt’.

“Even if we ignore the outcome of other studies, including those by agricultural scientists, we cannot think of not following the teachings of our gurus who showed us ideal path of life,” said Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon.

Dr Dhillon recommended that farmers of the border state should try to improve ration of income from allied profession and traditional crops, which is presently near 9.5 (allied) and 91.5 (traditional). Dr Dhillon said he was hopeful that farmers would prefer alternative methods of crop residue management to reckless burning.

The organisers arranged a display and demonstration of various equipment and machinery which had been developed for the management of paddy straw and other crops residues.