Farmers warned against burning crop stubs in Goa

TNN | Apr 24, 2020, 08:43 IST

Polluting practice

PANAJI: In a bid to ensure that farmers don’t resort to burning the standing grass of the crop stubs from the previous season in order to fertilise the soil for the next crop, a method that is polluting and presents the risk of wildfires, the North Goa collector has cautioned against the practice.
“The burning of standing grass of the crop of the previous season is prohibited,” the order signed by collector R Menaka stated.
The collector’s order came after the directorate of fire and emergency services wrote requesting preventive steps against the setting of fire in agricultural land.
In his letter, Ashok Menon, the director of fire and emergency services, brought to attention that instances of burning could prevail given the government’s decision to permit farmers to restart farming operations under restricted conditions.
Following the order, a circular has been issued by the directorate of agriculture asking all zonal agricultural officers to ensure strict compliance in their respective jurisdictions.
However, Menon said that on account of inability to purchase fertilisers, some farmers may be allowed the practice under strict supervision.
The Union ministry has been cautioning against the practice because it pollutes the atmosphere through emission of greenhouse gases even as it raises the risk of wildfires.