In Sangrur village, 92% sowing done without burning stubble

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, November 15

At a time when Sangrur district is in headlines for maximum stubble burning cases in the state, farmers of Bhadalwad village have set an example by sowing crops on 92 per cent area of the farms without burning stubble.

“I have been sowing various crops since 2005 without burning stubble. When I started, a majority of farmers of my village were not willing to do the same. After seeing the increase in the per acre production of my crops, this season 92 per cent area has seen sown without burning stubble,” said Harwinder Singh, a progressive farmer of the village.

Harwinder Singh, who has also won many awards for promoting organic farming, has also been helping other farmers in shunning stubble burning. Some other farmers of the village said initially they were reluctant, but after seeing the success of Harwinder, they also started following his advice and government’s directions in this regard.

“I have not burnt stubble on my field for the past five years. My per acre production of various crops has increased and I can prove it with data. Teams of the PAU, Ludhiana, and Agriculture Department have been offering all help,” said Gurjinder Singh, another farmer of the village.

Sangrur Chief Agriculture officer (CAO) Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal said Bhadalwad village had done a commendable job by sowing 92 per cent of the area without burning stubble on their fields. “Apart from this village, our special teams are visiting almost all villages in the district. We are hopeful that many more villages will follow our advice as farmers are responding well to our visits,” said the CAO.