Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday urged farmers to learn from a Punjab village that has been managing stubble without burning it for the past six years. The Union Minister was on a day-long visit to the state.
After reaching Moga, Chouhan visited Ransih Kalan village to meet farmers who have completely stopped burning stubble for several years.
Earlier in the morning, Chouhan enjoyed makki di roti and sarson da saag, a famous Punjabi dish, while sitting on a manja (charpoy). “I have just come here. People's love is amazing,” he told mediapersons, adding that he ate the traditional meal with great joy.
He said it was an honour for him to visit the holy land of Punjab.
Calling Ransih Kalan village a “role model” for stubble management, Chouhan said farmers there have not burnt crop residue for six years. This, he said, has improved soil fertility and helped reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by nearly 30 per cent.
Ransih Kalan village in Moga district is well-known for several initiatives led by its Sarpanch, Preetinderpal Singh, popularly known as Mintu Sarpanch.
The village has introduced many programmes, including giving cash incentives to farmers who don’t burn stubble, rewarding those who plant fruit trees, and recognising villagers who promote reading in the local library. Other initiatives include a plastic-free campaign, rainwater harvesting, and an anti-drug drive.
Speaking about stubble burning, Chouhan said the practice has become a matter of concern for the entire country. He said farmers may clear their fields quickly by burning stubble, but the fire destroys friendly insects and also contributes heavily to pollution.
"I have come here to congratulate Punjab and take this experiment to the whole country," he said. Chouhan said stubble-burning cases have dropped by 83 per cent this year. Some people ask what the alternative is if stubble is not burnt, as they have to sow a wheat crop, said Chouhan.
He again pointed to Ransih Kalan village as an example, saying no stubble-burning incident has happened there in six years.
"The experiment took place here. Ransih Kalan village has not been burning stubble for six years. They mix stubble in fields and carry out direct seeding. I came here to show this experiment to the whole country," he added.
Referring to the problem of stubble burning, Chouhan, at a separate event, said the experiments of some scientists proved that stubble is not 'bojh' (burden) and it can be converted into a 'vardan' (boon), like Ransih Kalan village did.
He said mixing stubble into fields and using direct seeding helps save water and diesel, reduces the need for fertilisers, and increases soil fertility.
"I am giving a message from here that what farmers of Ransih Kalan have done, farmers of the entire country should adopt," stressed Chouhan.
He also shared an example from a potato farmer who said he no longer uses potash fertiliser because stubble naturally adds potash to the soil. “The size and quality of potatoes are better,” Chouhan said, calling the village “a school” for the farming community. He met several farmers and praised their efforts throughout his visit.
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