It is really a ” BURNING ISSUE ”. Farmers are always on the receiving end. No doubt burning the stubble is not a desirable practice as it pollutes the environment, nevertheless penalizing the farmers is a kind of arm twisting. Instead the central government must direct ICAR and Directorate of Rice Research Institute (DRRI) Hyderabad to suggest low cost technology to dispose of the straw and stubble in the field. In this regard I would like to share my sugarcane experience. I was burning sugar cane trash after harvest. I realized the hazards of burning and started using the tractor driven shredders. Such shredders are attached to the PTO shaft and driven all over the field. The trash is made in to small pieces and spread all over the field. Such organic mulch has the following advantages. They are good organic manure. Small pieces of trash decomposes faster. The mulch inhibits the growth of weeds. The humus improves the soil porosity and helps water holding capacity. Such humus acts as a good medium for soil organisms. Last but not least, no air pollution due to burning. As the C:N ratio would be high the soil needs to be supplemented with more N to narrow the ratio. One challenge as rightly pointed by the author is farmers can not afford the shredders which would be used only for 2-3 weeks. This is where the farmers need to be supported by incentivising them. May be by encouraging FPC to hire out the machines this BURNING ISSUE be resolved to a fair degree.
Firstly…. It is totally wrong to say that crop burning in punjab is affecting Delhi which is 200km away. This is utter nonsense. There are polluting industries in NCR and small fires and road sweeping dust which are responsible. Punjab should reject this allegation outright.
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Secondly… There is no need to start growing maize which is cattle feed. Indians will continue to eat wheat and rice till another century no matter what.
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Thirdly … Crop residue disposal should be referred to agriculture universities like pau, hau and Pantnagar, they will come out with a solution. They have great brains and will develop a way out in no time.
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I have no vested interest but I am appalled at the way ngt and Delhi are blaming agencies outside NCR.
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Gadkari also talked abt making fuel from paddy leftovers…. shouldn’t he do what he said …run buses on this fuel…reduce pollution… political will count at.a time of National emergency like this!!
It’s a typical example of problems that require combination of policy changes, scientific research and facilitating economic feasibility. Active participation of people from all walks of life is required.
It is really a ” BURNING ISSUE ”. Farmers are always on the receiving end. No doubt burning the stubble is not a desirable practice as it pollutes the environment, nevertheless penalizing the farmers is a kind of arm twisting. Instead the central government must direct ICAR and Directorate of Rice Research Institute (DRRI) Hyderabad to suggest low cost technology to dispose of the straw and stubble in the field. In this regard I would like to share my sugarcane experience. I was burning sugar cane trash after harvest. I realized the hazards of burning and started using the tractor driven shredders. Such shredders are attached to the PTO shaft and driven all over the field. The trash is made in to small pieces and spread all over the field. Such organic mulch has the following advantages. They are good organic manure. Small pieces of trash decomposes faster. The mulch inhibits the growth of weeds. The humus improves the soil porosity and helps water holding capacity. Such humus acts as a good medium for soil organisms. Last but not least, no air pollution due to burning. As the C:N ratio would be high the soil needs to be supplemented with more N to narrow the ratio. One challenge as rightly pointed by the author is farmers can not afford the shredders which would be used only for 2-3 weeks. This is where the farmers need to be supported by incentivising them. May be by encouraging FPC to hire out the machines this BURNING ISSUE be resolved to a fair degree.
Good, in-depth analysis indeed
Firstly…. It is totally wrong to say that crop burning in punjab is affecting Delhi which is 200km away. This is utter nonsense. There are polluting industries in NCR and small fires and road sweeping dust which are responsible. Punjab should reject this allegation outright.
…
Secondly… There is no need to start growing maize which is cattle feed. Indians will continue to eat wheat and rice till another century no matter what.
…
Thirdly … Crop residue disposal should be referred to agriculture universities like pau, hau and Pantnagar, they will come out with a solution. They have great brains and will develop a way out in no time.
…
I have no vested interest but I am appalled at the way ngt and Delhi are blaming agencies outside NCR.
…
Great insight into a problem that should include collective steps by all concerned
Gadkari also talked abt making fuel from paddy leftovers…. shouldn’t he do what he said …run buses on this fuel…reduce pollution… political will count at.a time of National emergency like this!!
There is only solution to simple approach for making bales and out from field for use in industry fuel. Thanks.
It’s a typical example of problems that require combination of policy changes, scientific research and facilitating economic feasibility. Active participation of people from all walks of life is required.