Farmers plough stubble back to improve soil health

Tarn Taran, November 12

Farmers associated with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in the district are emerging as torch-bearers in managing paddy straw by using different techniques whereas a number of other farmers are indulging in burning paddy straw polluting the environment.

According to information, Sukhraj Singh of Kirtowal Khurd village chopped the paddy straw in 12 acres and incorporated into the soil using reversible MB plough. Another farmer Kuldeep Singh of Chak Bamba village managed 90 acres of his land by using same method.

Harjeet Singh of Sohawa village incorporated paddy straw in-situ with rotavator after harvesting paddy with combine loaded with super SMS. In Kulla (Patti) village, Balraj Singh used cutter to cut the straw followed by broadcasting of wheat seed in the soil and then again use cutter to mix it and irrigated the field. He said last year he practiced above method on 0.25 acre and got excellent results. Jatinder Singh of Mundapind, Daljit Singh and Gurbachan Singh of Burj Deva Singh village, Jashdeep Singh of Tung, Narinder Singh and Gurbej Singh of Booh Havelian, Daljit Singh and Sukhvir Singh of Booh, master Nacchatar Singh and his family of Bhagupur Havelian, Baljit Singh of Bangla Rai village, adopted villages of KVK, managed paddy straw in about 2,500 acres by using happy seeder and other techniques.

The KVK team was regularly visiting fields of above and other farmers to provide technical guidance on crop residue management, besides improving soil health, reduce fertiliser requirement and incidence of phalaris minor in fields, which ultimately decrease the cost of cultivation and enhance net returns. Dr Harish Kumar Verma, Director, Extension Education, (GADVASU), Ludhiana, said they were also guiding farmers to utilise paddy straw as feeding and bedding material for dairy animals. — OC