Farmers are currently engaged in sowing wheat, peas, and other pulses and oilseeds after harvesting paddy. The Department of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development has urged farmers to manage crop stubble responsibly instead of burning it.
Dr. S.K. Nigam, Deputy Director of Agriculture, highlighted the detrimental effects of stubble burning on soil and the environment. Burning stubble depletes soil quality and destroys biodiversity and beneficial microorganisms essential for producing organic manure. Prolonged stubble burning hardens the soil’s surface, reducing its water retention capacity, which causes crops to dry out quickly. Additionally, the smoke from stubble burning increases air pollution and raises atmospheric temperatures. The practice also destroys vegetation along field boundaries, harming beneficial insects vital for agriculture.
Dr. Nigam emphasized that managing stubble instead of burning it ensures environmental protection while enhancing soil fertility. Farmers are advised to use a straw reaper to process 8-12 inches of crop residue left after harvesting into fodder. This straw can be used as animal feed, providing an additional source of income. A rotavator can finely chop the stubble and mix it with the soil, facilitating the creation of organic manure, which boosts soil fertility and crop productivity.
Farmers can also use equipment like Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, and Smart Seeder to sow seeds directly without prior field preparation. In this process, stubble acts as mulch and gradually decomposes into fertilizer. This method reduces the cost of field preparation, saves one irrigation cycle, and significantly saves time.
Advisory for Farmers: Farmers are encouraged to understand the harmful effects of stubble burning and adopt effective stubble management practices. By doing so, they can safeguard the environment, improve soil health, and achieve better crop yields.
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