To effectively deal with the problem of stubble burning in the State, Haryana Government has geared up to promote straw management practices as per the guidelines of National Green Tribunal (NGT)
“The Indian Oil Corporation has decided to set up a paddy straw based ethanol plant in Panipat while the district Karnal has been taken up as a pilot district to adopt straw management practices,” said a spokesman of the Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department.
He said that a State level Kisan Mela on straw management of paddy and wheat will be held at village Jundla in Karnal on January 24 on the theme ‘Keep Our Soil Healthy and Pollution Free Environment’ where Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister OP Dhankar would be the chief guest and experts from various Universities would also participate in the event.
About 2000 farmers, especially from paddy growing areas would participate in the mela and update their knowledge in management of straw practices by adopting latest know how and usage of different implements. Apart from this, an exhibition on straw management implements would also be organised at the venue, he said.
He added that some of the progressive farmers of the State would also share their experiences regarding management of straw.
He said that several strategies were followed for management of paddy straw in the northern region. As, there were no major industrial units in Karnal or nearby districts, which use paddy straw as raw material, the Indian Oil Corporation has decided to set up a paddy straw based ethanol plants in Panipat which would also procure straw from Karnal district.
The spokesman added that an action plan has been formulated to manage the problem of straw to achieve the objective of eliminating the menace of burning of paddy straw in the district. Every extension official would visit each village in his jurisdiction during the months of March-April and September-October, 2017 for creating awareness among the farmers.
Apart from this, two farmers “goshthis” would also be organized in each block during the months of March and September 2017. Two district level awareness camps for manufacturers and dealers of agriculture machinery would be held during February and August 2017, he added.
He said that students would also be apprised about this issue and all senior secondary schools in rural areas would be covered during August and September, 2017. Besides, adequate publicity would be ensured through media and by using hoardings, banners, posters in all mandis, important offices visited by farmers in a large number and other important places during harvest seasons.
There would also be demonstration of mechanical options like straw choppers or slashers, hay rake and straw balers for the farmers during September – October 2017. Ten villages would be covered per day under this drive, said the spokesman.
In addition, advisories would be issued to the farmers not to burn the straw during September to November, 2017.
He added that sensitization meetings of officials of Revenue, Panchayat, Agriculture and Environment departments would be organized in September and October 2017.
Notably, the illegal practice of burning crop residue had continued unabated in parts of Haryana despite a Government ban on it, further aggravating the problem of air pollution in last November. The thick smog hanging over northern parts of the country due to burning of crop residue had also caused road fatalities due to poor visibility in November last year.