Ludhiana,
In the wake of unprecedented polluted smog this season causing health hazards and ecosystem disturbances, a meeting was arranged by PAU yesterday at the instance of Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), which was chaired by Vice Chancellor, PAU, Ludhiana. Based on the experiences of this season, the agri experts and progressive farmers joined heads to device strategy to manage paddy straw during next year in an environment friendly manner. Lamenting at the myopic vision of few self-serving people who instigated the farmers to burn paddy residue (even after when paddy straw has been taken out of fields), the participants requested for effective ban on stubble burning to protect humanity and agro ecology.

The participants discussed the effectiveness and economics of various machines used this season for straw management by the farmers. It was observed that super straw management system on combine harvesters must be made compulsory so that farmers can easily manage the harvested straw. Besides, it was seen that existing different version machines such as cutter cum spreaders (mulchers), reversible plough and happy seederseffectively managepaddy straw for wheat sowing. Also, farmers already have other requisite machines like harrows and plankers besides tractors and rotavators.

A number of farmers who have been sowing wheat without paddy straw burning participated in this meeting shared their experiences and informed that the straw management technologies recommended by PAU are working well in fields. It was further highlighted that they are harvestingeven better wheat yield as compared to farmers who are burning the straw.

Dr H.S. Sidhu, from the Borlaugh Institutefor South Asia stressed the need for incorporation of paddy straw in the field rather than its removal by way of bales as the latter may create other ecological issues. He shared that happy seeder was found to be very effective tool for direct sowing of wheat after paddy harvestingby combine harvesters fitted with Super Straw Management System.

Sh.ManmohanKalia, Joint Director, Agriculture, assured that the government will give subsidy on the machines approved by PAU. Dr N. S. Bains, Director Research, PAU said that the adoption of early maturing varieties of rice developed by PAU will not only provide more window for effective management of paddy straw but also save water.

Sh.K.S. Pannu, Chairman, PPCB, while expressing grave concern on deteriorating air quality which has the potential to permanently cripple the children said it would have long lasting and threatening effects on Punjabi civilization. He suggested creating a registry of straw managing equipments available with farmers in Punjab and creating an App for making this machinery available to farmers near their farms. He appealed to farmers to not burn crop residue at any cost.

Dr B S Dhillon, VC, PAU, asked the KVKs and agriculture department to hold large scale camps and field days to showcase the crop standing in fields at farmers’ fields wherein wheat is being sown without burning of paddy straw over years and also to honour these progressive farmers. These success stories should be brought to the knowledge of press and electronic media so that these are highlighted. He asked his colleagues to get the crop literature printed on residue management strategies specifically for each cropping system and agro-ecologies for the sake of simplicity.

The experts and farmers requested the government to ensure effective ban on stubble burning as a measure for not only human and animals’ right to breathe but also for better agro ecology and sustainability of agriculture. All emphasized that there should be no burning in the next season.