NGO stops farmers from burning stubble

Tribune News Service

Barnala, October 23

A Delhi-based NGO, India Paryavaran Sahayak Foundation, has been working in Barnala district on their “Change Buddy” programme to convince farmers against stubble burning. The NGO has formed 33 groups, which are working in 26 villages of Barnala district.

The NGO has chosen 100 villages in four districts of Punjab — Barnala, Sangrur, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib — to convince farmers against stubble burning.

After a field visit with NGO members on Tuesday, Barnala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dharam Pal Gupta said all 33 groups of the NGO had contacted a total of 410 farmers so far in 26 villages of Barnala district. Members of the NGO have been working actively in the targeted villages with the aim of saving approximately 4,000 acres from fire in the district with the help of happy seeder machines.

About the “Change Buddy” programme, the DC said under the project, owners of Happy Seeder machines had been identified in these villages by the NGO members along with farmers, who are willing to use alternative methods of sowing wheat without burning paddy stubble.

“After identification, NGO members are convincing farmers to use happy seeders. Up to 20 acres, the foundation will contribute Rs 400 per acre to each farmer for the rent of happy seeder machines,” said the DC.

IPS Foundation CEO Ritesh Bhatia said they had chosen 100 villages in the four districts to convince farmers against stubble burning. He said the NGO had young professionals from multiple business fields as its members and had pooled CSR funds towards the cause of eliminating the menace of stubble burning. He said they had also organised training sessions and workshops with farmers on handling of farm implements.

“Punjab farmers are well aware of the bad effects of burning of stubble. We are getting a good response from farmers,” said Bhatia.