Kanech residents vow to not burn stubble this harvest season

Farmers of Kanech village today vowed not to burn stubble in the presence of the officials of the Agriculture Department and volunteers of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during a block-level camp organised by the department at Kanech.

District Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Parkash Singh, Block Agriculture Officer Dr Dara Singh, Agriculture Development Officer Dr Jatinder Singh, Agriculture Development Officer Dr Karamjit Singh, Agriculture Engineer Dr Amanpreet Singh Ghai, Agriculture Expansion Officer Dr Raman Chopra, Kanech Cooperative Society president Baljit Singh and Secretary Reet Kamal Singh were present to inform the farmers to shun burning, adopt machinery and practice crop residue management to improve soil health and protect the environment .

Dr Parkash Singh sensitised the farmers about the harmful effects of crop residue burning and advised them to efficiently manage crop residue without burning to avoid degradation of environment. He appealed to the farmers to adopt in situ management technologies advised by the department.

He urged the farmers to work in unison with the department to initiate a fight against stubble burning. “We are constantly on the go. Regular training to farmers regarding the issue is being provided. We have also organised a farmer-scientist interface and are trying to mobilise the students of educational institutions so that they may spread our message and become equal participants in soil conservation. We are confident that our goal of ‘no residue burning’ shall be accomplished since we are getting healthy feedback and support from the farming community especially the youth of the villages,” he added.

Agriculture Engineer Dr Amanpreet Singh Ghai discussed various technological options for in-situ crop residue management in detail. He gave detailed information about the problems faced and their solutions.

The student volunteers of Guru Nanak National College Doraha enacted a street play giving the message to the farmers to shun the practice of burning stubble or be ready to face the climate change-related consequences. Student volunteers Mohammad Tehveez deliberated upon ‘stubble conservation’, Jaijeet Singh Dhillon on ‘treatment of pests’, Tushar Karkara on ‘treatment of diseased plants’, Prabhnoor on ‘treatment of insects’and Yuvraj Jagaal on ‘seed treatment.