Bathinda, September 8:
Farmers should manage paddy straw in their fields instead of burning it, so that the environment and beneficial organisms associated with agriculture can be protected. Deputy Commissioner Bathinda, Mr. Rajesh Dhiman, made these remarks while chairing a meeting of the District-Level Coordinating and Monitoring Committee today.
During the meeting, he held discussions with officials from various departments regarding the activities being undertaken and the advance preparations for paddy straw management. The Deputy Commissioner said that burning paddy straw not only causes environmental pollution but also adversely affects soil fertility. Burning crop residue destroys beneficial microorganisms and nutrients present in the soil, while the resulting smoke contributes to air pollution.
He appealed to the farmers of Bathinda district not to burn paddy straw and to adopt the techniques recommended by the Agriculture Department for its proper management. Incorporating crop residue into the soil improves soil health and also helps replenish nutrients required for agriculture.
The Deputy Commissioner directed officials of the concerned departments to create maximum awareness among farmers about refraining from stubble burning and to provide all possible assistance for the proper management of paddy straw.
During the meeting, Dr. Harpreetpal Kaur, Chief Agriculture Officer, Bathinda, shared detailed information regarding the scientific management of paddy straw. She briefed the participants about the mapping of agricultural machinery available for straw management, techniques for incorporating straw into the soil, ex-situ and in-situ management methods, and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities. She said that her department would make this information available to farmers at the village level.
On the occasion, Mr. Balkaran Singh, SDM, Rampura Phul, along with officials and representatives of various departments, was also present.