Patwaris to persuade farmers to shun burning of stubble

A campaign has been launched to sensitise farmers against burning stubble. The campaign got a boost when workers of the Punjab Revenue Patwar Union said they would urge paddy cultivators of their respective regions to shun the malpractice.

The revenue officials said they would facilitate events organised by the administration to spread awareness about causes and consequences of the stubble burning, adding that they would also organise nuked meetings and workshops at common places and fields situated on the outskirts of their beats.

Punjab Revenue Patwar Union President Harvir Singh Dhindsa said revenue officials would organise small yet productive events on management of agricultural wastes, including stubble beyond their duty hours.

“As revenue officials (Patwari) constitute the widest and most intimate platform for redressal of issues related to agriculture, they can be most effective in persuading farmers to shun stubble burning,” said Dhindsa. He appreciated the efforts of the revenue officials who had agreed to volunteer their services to the cause.

Dhindsa said revenue officials had been supporting a coordinated movement launched in the district under the supervision of the Malerkotla Deputy Commissioner; however, the farmers were addressed by senior functionaries in the administration and agriculture departments only.

He said, “Though the Malerkotla DC, Dr Pallavi, has already convened a meeting of senior functionaries in the Department of Agriculture, Department of Farmer’s Welfare, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Cooperative Department and Rural Development for undertaking aggressive measures to check stubble burning in the region, we have decided to explore chances to further encourage farmers on our personal level to help the administration achieve the 100 per cent target of zero tolerance.”

He claimed presidents of various districts have been asked to ensure activists of their respective areas organise informal meetings with farmers to address the problem.

Dhindsa said officials have been asked to update their knowledge on the problem before they organise meetings with farmers. “We want to make sure that all Patwari are up-to-date on alternative methods of handling stubble and availability of equipment required for the purpose,” said Dhindsa.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, Dr Pallavi, had appealed rank and file in the administration to buttress the movement launched to sensitise farmers on the causes and consequences of violating guidelines of the Green Tribunal on disposal of agricultural waste.