Farmers told to use wheat straw as mulching material

Tribune News Service

Malout, April 19

The Horticulture Department has appealed to farmers to use wheat stubble as mulching material in orchards and vegetable fields to save environment.

Narinderjit Singh, Assistant Director, Horticulture, Muktsar, said that some progressive farmers were already following it, instead of burning the straw that has been banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

He further said that by using this technique, farmers would not only become able to manage wheat straw efficiently, but it would add nutritional value of the soil.

“Fruit and vegetable growers should lay a layer of wheat straw beneath plants. It reduces water evaporation from soil and saves irrigation water. Further, it is helpful in weed control,” said Narinderjit Singh.