Sahaur village in Barnala sets example in stubble management, declared 'zero burning' village

While a majority of villages across Punjab are struggling with paddy stubble burning, Sahaur village in Mehal Kalan block of Barnala district has emerged as a model under the Paddy Straw Management Campaign.

“For the past four years, no stubble has been burnt in the village. It has now been declared a zero-burning village,” said Deputy Commissioner T Benith today.

Out of nearly 90 baler machines operating in the district, about 30 are in Sahaur alone. This village has over 840 hectares of farmland, located about 20 km away from Barnala town.

The panchayat and progressive farmers have been managing paddy straw on a commercial scale by converting it into bales. These are sold in Ludhiana and Garhshankar, with five to seven truckloads dispatched daily.

Sarpanch Lakhvir Singh said the village farmers have been making straw bales for the past decade, and now the activity has expanded commercially with full community support.

Panchayat member Malkeet Singh added that all balers belong to local farmers, providing jobs for youth. Farmer Narinder Singh said he pioneered the practice and has seen substantial benefits.

Praising their initiative, the Deputy Commissioner urged farmers across the district to follow Sahaur’s example and transform stubble from a pollutant into a profitable resource.