LUDHIANA SARPANCH SEES MSP FOR STUBBLE AS THE WAY OUT

LUDHIANA: When the weather office forecast rain in the beginning of November, it triggered a wave of panic among farmers of the district and even led to a spurt in farm residue burning on Saturday. In contrast, Barewal Dogran was an island of hope.

District agriculture officer Baldev Singh says the village with a population of 300 has not seen a single case of stubble burning in four years. He credits the concerted efforts of sarpanch Amrik Singh, 63, and the resolve of villagers to trust innovation.

“This toxic smoke is killing. We have to act responsibly and shun stubble burning,” says Amrik.

Most farmers in adjoining Bagga Khurd, Kutbewal and Laddian have also stopped setting the paddy residue on fire.

Amrik blames farm union leaders for misleading farmers to maintain their political supremacy.

He suggests the government offer compensation to farmers to discourage them from setting their fields on fire. “If a farmer is sowing other crops instead of wheat then ₹3,000 per acre is spent on diesel for levelling the field. Offering a minimum support price (MSP) on the stubble residue can be an incentive,” he says.

Amrik’s son Sarabjit, who farms on 150 acres on contract, convinced young farmers to opt for in situ management of paddy straw. “The problem is the mindset. Most farmers are reluctant to innovate. Five years ago, I attended a camp and learnt about the Happy Seeder, which I used for three acres to start with,” says Sarabjit.

The Gurbani says that polluting the environment is against the teachings of our Gurus. I have pledged to not only stop burning hay in my fields but also to encourage other farmers to end this practice.

GURBACHAN SINGH BURJ, farmer, Tarn Taran