Karnal’s farmer adopts eco-friendly way to manage crop residue

Amid the challenges being faced by people due to stubble burning that led to pollution in the region, there are many farmers who are choosing eco-friendly methods to manage crop residue. These farmers are either adopting in-situ or ex-situ management techniques to manage stubble for earning profit as well as maintaining soil fertility. Dilpreet Singh (40), a farmer of Taraori, has been adopting in-situ management techniques for the last nearly six years, incorporating stubble directly into the soil to enrich it, rather than setting fields ablaze.

Dilpreet, a commerce graduate, said was cultivating potato after incorporating paddy stubble in soil on around 25 acres and sowing wheat on nearly 15 acres adopting the same method.

“The in-situ paddy waste management is the best method to utilise the stubble. I grow potato and wheat after the paddy harvesting and adopting environmentally friendly practices for soil fertility,” said Dilpreet.

He also said the practice had significantly improved soil health and it cut down the expenses of fertiliser in wheat and potato crops. “I have been getting support from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department for the purpose,” said Dilpreet, who was also encouraging other farmers to adopt in-situ methods which were cost effective.

“In-situ methods also help in conserving ‘mittar keet’ in the soil which helps in fertility and increases the yield,” he said.

The authorities also appreciated the step and said other farmers were also being motivated. “Dilpreet is like several other farmers who are adopting the stubble management system. He is contributing to soil fertility by adopting in-situ methods for stubble management” said Dr Wazir Singh, Deputy Director, Agriculture (DDA).

He also exhorted other farmers to adopt the stubble management methods -- both in-situ and ex-situ for getting profit and maintaining soil fertility.