Campaign to check crop residue burning kicks off in Malerkotla district

Having identified hotspots where guidelines on disposal of crop residue are being violated with impunity in Malerkotla district, the administration has launched a drive to sensitise farmers about causes and consequences of stubble burning.

The campaign was kicked off by organising workshops, nukkad meetings and seminars on the stubble burning issue at Hathan, Mubarakpur, Rurka, Bhudan and Kuthala villages here today.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Pallavi and SSP Gagan Ajit Singh led senior functionaries of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Cooperative Societies, who besides elaborating various aspects of stubble burning, highlighted the use of agricultural machinery for harvesting paddy, correct time for sowing the next crop and environment friendly disposal of agricultural waste in workshops.

The DC appreciated farmers who had given up stubble burning. “Having observed positive attitude of majority of farmers towards checking the damage caused by stubble burning, we have advised the authorities concerned to help farmers, self-help groups and cooperative societies to purchase new machinery for managing the crop residue,” said Pallavi.

The DC said SDMs of various segments had been advised to take motivational and punitive measures to ensure zero tolerance towards stubble burning during the forthcoming paddy harvesting season.

Elaborating on the strategy adopted to handle the crop residue, Pallavi said a mobile app was being updated for knowing status of the availability of super seeders, mulchers, RMB ploughs, happy seeder and super straw management system so that farmers could give a requisition for such equipment and avoid last moment frustration and delay in carrying on their routine agricultural activities.