Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, October 7
For the past three years, Lallian Khurd village in Jalandhar has not burnt any stubble. This year as well, the village, which has 400 to 500 acres under paddy cultivation and around 60 farmers, has decided to shun the practice.
Produce is better, soil more fertile
We have found not burning stubble is a profitable exercise. The produce is better, the soil is more fertile and of course the pollution caused due to stubble fires isn’t there. Jagjit Singh, lallian khurd sarpanch
While the village stands staunchly in solidarity with protesting farmers, at the same time it stays resolute on its decision not to burn stubble. Harjinder Singh Sodhi from the Paramjitpur village in Kapurthala is setting a similar example. Two to three farmers of their village have decided not to set afire the stubble despite the fact that their neighbours do so.
At Lallian Khurd, there are three farming societies to attend to the needs of farmers. The village has 50 to 60 farmers, about 20 of whom have small landholdings. However, that hasn’t deterred the village to discontinue the practice.
Jagjit Singh, Sarpanch of the village, says, “We started it for the betterment of our coming generations. We have found not burning stubble a very profitable exercise. The produce is better, the soil is more fertile and of course the pollution caused due to stubble fires isn’t there. I use the same technique in my 80 to 90 acres. The marginal farmers who can’t afford mulchers hire them from well-off farmers. We have continued this for years now and neighbouring villages are also following suit.” Villages like Chittian, Lalian Kalan and Rampur in the neighbourhood are also shunning stubble burning. Jagjit Singh adds, “I had discussions with farm unions on the issue. I stick to my practice and at the same time I agree with them that until alternatives to stubble burning are subsidised, poor farmers can’t afford it. We have the machines so we use them. When you have the equipment, you realise the benefits outweigh the costs.”
Harjinder Singh Sodhi from Paramjitour village in Kapurthala says, “My neighbour set afire the stubble but I won’t. We owe cleaner air to our future generations.”
Doaba farmers lead by example, shun stubble fire
{$excerpt:n}
