Sangrur farmers manage stubble without setting farms on fire

Blurb: Say besides saving money, able to increase per acre production

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Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, November 3

At a time when Sangrur has been witnessing rising number of stubble burning cases and farmers are adamant on burning their fields, there are many who have not resorted to the step for the past several years.

“Since 2007, I have not burnt the stubble over my 8 acres, but have been sowing wheat by managing stubble without burning. Apart from saving money, I have also been able to increase my per acre production of various crops,” said Dharminder Singh from Ugrahan village of Sangrur.

Some farmers told The Tribune that after burning the stubble, the crop sowing cost also increases as they have to plough their field at least three-four times. But through happy seeder-sowing without burning of stubble, farmers are able to sow wheat per acre within just 5-6 litres of diesel (used to run their tractors for one-time plough of field).

“I have not burnt my paddy stubble for the past many years. Apart from convincing my relatives, I have also been trying to prevent fire in the fields of other farmers of my village,” said Jagdeep Singh, a farmer from Kajoi village.

“But still many are adamant on burning their stubble. I know many farmers, who have been managing stubble without burning, but all can’t do it. If authorities are really serious to prevent farm fires, they should give special financial aid to farmers to manage stubble,” said Gurdarshan Singh, a farmer from Chhajli village.

Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Ramvir said the special teams of administration had been organising special camps to convince farmers against stubble burning. “Farmers should take help of machines and equipment given to panchayats to manage their stubble,” he added.