Kanoi village farmer motivates others to shun stubble burning

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 12

Joga Singh Toor, a young farmer from Kanoi village, has not burnt paddy stubble on his all 11 acres for the past five years.

Alternative techniques to dispose of stubble have improved the health of the soil. He campaigns against stubble burning these days in various camps organised by the government.

Joga believes that by shunning the practice of stubble burning, farmers can protect the environment, improve the soil heath and reduce the per acre cost of crop cultivation.

He has been sowing wheat for the past five years without burning the residue of paddy.

“I sow wheat in paddy straw with Happy Seeder due to which I have seen improvement in the soil health and per acre crop production has also increased,” he added.

He added that due to his initiative to shun stubble burning, many other farmers of his village have also started sowing wheat with Happy Seeder.

“The Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department is providing all assistance and training to farmers. Besides, it urges them to avail its support to shun stubble burning,” he said.

Chief Agricultural Officer, Sangrur, Dr Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal said Joga Singh participated in farmers training camps organised by the Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department. He said Joga also asks other farmers to adopt crop residue management.

Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said the Punjab Government was taking all required steps for environment-friendly management of straw.

“Required machines are being provided to individual farmers on 50% subsidy and to cooperative societies and farmer groups on 80% subsidy. Farmers should take the advantage of subsidy schemes,” said the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner .