Seminar on curbing farm fires at Malerkotla
Senior functionaries organised events to sensitise farmers about the causes and consequences of stubble burning in line with their endeavour to identify the hotspots of stubble burning and those violating guidelines on disposal of agricultural wastes in the region.
The administration had identified 10 hotspot villages where violations of guidelines on disposal of agricultural waste had taken place during the past years. After this, a coordinated move to sensitise farmers about the causes and consequences of stubble burning was launched.
Nukad meetings, seminars and workshops were organised at Banbhaura, Jhall and Chondan village today. Similar events were organised recently at Hathan, Mubarakpur, Rurka, Bhudan and Kuthala villages.
The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Pallavi, and SP (H) Swaranjit Kaur led senior functionaries of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Cooperative Societies, who elaborated on various aspects of stubble burning and undertook the process for rationalisation of agricultural machinery to facilitate paddy harvest, sowing of the next crop, and environmentally friendly disposal of agricultural waste.
The DC appreciated the efforts of various activists in persuading farmers to adopt alternative eco-friendly measures of handling agricultural waste, including stubble. She said many farmers who conceded having burnt stubble during past years have now started supporting the campaign launched by the administration to spread awareness among masses on the subject.
She said, “Contrary to earlier trends when villagers used to hesitate from attending events on the problem of stubble burning, the majority of farmers have comprehended that it is our social responsibility to check for damages caused by stubble burning.” She added authorities concerned had been advised to help farmers, self-help groups and cooperative societies devise plans to purchase new machines for the purpose of making optimum use of available equipment.
The DC urged farmers to abstain from stubble burning as it was detrimental to soil fertility and texture and might prove hazardous for persons suffering from pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.
She advised everyone to ensure that the mobile phone application to know the status of availability of super-seeders, mulchers, RMB ploughs, happy-seeders, and super-straw management systems was updated on a regular basis so that farmers who require a particular kind of equipment may give requisition to avoid last moment frustration and delay in agricultural work.
