9 september 2024 : In the small village of Hirdapur in Patiala, 25-year-old farmer Amarjit Singh has set an inspiring example by managing stubble without burning it for seven years. Singh has been actively promoting awareness and encouraging younger generations to persuade their elders against setting their fields on fire after harvest.
Using a Happy Seeder to incorporate stubble into his four acres of land, Singh has successfully avoided the need for burning. He noted, “The smoke from burning stubble affects everyone in and around our villages. It’s time to stop this practice.”
Previously, Singh’s fields suffered from ‘Gully danda’ (Phalaris minor) before the wheat grew, resulting in a wheat yield of about three-and-a-half quintals per bigha. Since adopting his stubble management method, the problem has diminished, requiring no additional treatments, and his crop yield has increased by an additional quintal per bigha.
Singh’s approach has also led to reduced fertilizer use, prevention of waterlogged fields, and fewer issues with falling wheat crops. He advocates for other farmers to follow his example, highlighting the benefits of increased soil fertility and environmental safety.
Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray commended Singh for his efforts, stating, “Amarjit Singh’s example is a source of inspiration. We are working to reduce farm fires, and young farmers like him play a crucial role. Other farmers should learn from his practices.”
Official data shows a decline in paddy stubble burning incidents in Punjab: from 83,002 fires in 2020 to 71,304 in 2021, 49,922 in 2022, and 36,663 in 2023. This represents a 27 percent decrease in fire counts from 2022 to 2023.