For not burning rice stubble for more than five years, Jalandhar district administration on Friday presented appreciation certificates titled "Vaatavarn De Rakhwale" to more than 100 farmers from various blocks.
Progressive farmers were recognized for their efforts to maintain the environment pollution-free from the following blocks: Adampur, Bhogpur, Jalandhar East and West, Lohian, Nakodar, Nurmahal, Phillaur, Rurka Kalan, and Shahkot.
In the greater interest of the environment, soil health, and the future of subsequent generations, they urged other farmers to adopt "zero burning." Farmers said it was high time that automated management of stubble in fields must be started, which would lead to a clean, green & pollution-free environment. Additionally, they pledged to educate others about the consequences of field stubble burning.
Notably, 340 farm fires were reported in Jalandhar as of Wednesday.
The Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar, Jaspreet Singh, listed initiatives to encourage farmers to adopt mechanized management of stubble, saying groups from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department had been holding awareness events in villages under the "Information Education and Communication" (IEC) program.
According to the DC, 170 of these camps have already been hosted in villages, and the goal of 180 will be reached by October 31. He further said that 900 wall paintings depicting the negative impacts of stubble burning had also been made in villages. In order to obtain subsidized machinery, he urged farmers to get in touch with the local block agriculture officers.
The DC also mentioned that approximately 6,000 agri-machinery equipment, such as super seeder, RCM plough, multure, zero drill, and bailer machines, had already been given to farmers for managing stubble.
Inderjit Kaur Mann, a Nakodar MLA, and DC Jaspreet Singh presented the farmers with appreciation certificates. To promote a healthy environment, the DC advised the farmers to spread the message against burning stubble throughout rural areas.
MLA Mann said that farmers were given incentives to send crop residue to the Bir Pind power plant for use in power generation.
