Ageti and Mandaur becomes role model for others in disposal of crop residue without burning
@Amrit Sidhu Brar
Patiala, September 04
Village Ageti and Mandaur plays leading role in achieving zero stubble burning. Farmers of both the villages have set an example by reducing the stubble burning and minimizing their input cost in the form of pesticides, weedicides and limiting the usage of urea for their crops by mulching paddy stubble into the soil.
To see the process being adopted by the both villages to dispose of the crop residue in the field, without setting on fore, Ms Shomita Biswas, Joint Secretary (M&T) Government of India visited village Mandaur and Ageti along with Er Manmohan Kalia (Nodal Officer CRM) and Dr Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal, Chief Agriculture Officer, Patiala.
Ms Shomita Biswas interacted with farmers, cooperative society members and youngsters who are playing a pivotal role to achieve the target of zero stubble burning through awareness and providing machinery to the small and marginal farmers at almost free or at very nominal operational cost.
Ms Shomita Biswas said that it is a tough time and we should not only look after the environmental benefits, but also take care of the health benefits. As the situations has been worsening due to the Covid-19 and the stubble burning smoke adding fuel to the respiratory diseases.
Er Manmohan Kalia highlighted the usage of machinery for the management of paddy stubble and also stressed on the issue of management of machinery during the off season.
Dr Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal, CAO, Patiala said that Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare has always been there to help farmers to achieve new heights in Agriculture.
He said that the cooperative societies, CHCs (Custom Hiring Centers) established in both villages are doing an excellent job and a variety of machinery is being provided by Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare on subsidy for effective management of stubble.
He said that Dept. of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare aimed to achieve zero stubble burning targets during the paddy season and for this, various efforts are being made by organising awareness camps, providing machinery for stubble management on subsidy, through demonstrations of various machines.
Sarpanch of village Ageti, Jasdev Singh said that he had been managing stubble in his fields since 1997 and with the advancement of technology; it has become easier to manage the paddy stubble.
He said that due to mulching of paddy stubble within the crop, the use of fertilizers and pesticides has reduced to half besides improvement in soil health.
He further said farmers from nearby villages are also getting inspiration from both these villages, resulting in decrease in paddy stubble burning. Reduction in paddy stubble burning cases is also proving beneficial for the health of villagers too.
Madam Shomita Biswas Joint Secretary, GOI appreciated the efforts of villagers and Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare for their fruitful efforts.
