Despite burning: Setting up of cardboard industry only solution

Ferozepur, October 27, 2013: Without realising its repercussions, the farmers in the district are resorting to stubble burning as to destroy crop residue alternatives - rotavator, zero-till drill, baler machines, shredders or happy seeder machines - are not easily available and if available, the farmer has to incur heavy expenses for the same.  In the absence of any follow up action, the stubble burning has not been stopped by the farmers.

Despite issuing orders by the Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur banning the stubble burning in the fields was seen on Ferozepur-Fazilka road, near village Lalchian. These orders have been issued for the safety of public and property.

When asked the labourer present in the field, they should, they are doing it as per the instructions of the owner of the land.

Farmer Amarjit Singh from Bare Ke was of the view that the practice needs to be condemned but the farmers too have no other viable choice knowing that the fire damages the fertility quotient of land.  Moreover, because of low MSP as compared to the cost of the production and small farmers already under debt, it is difficult for them to pay the price for destroying the waste.

The government should be come forward with policy to grant subsidies, long-term loans to encourage the manufacturer of such machines at affordable prices, he added.

During the post-harvesting days, there is increase of patients in the government as well as in the private clinic with breathing problem as the stubble burning leads to pollution.

Setting up of related industries of cardboard, paper and packaging units in the rural areas with availability of cheap raw material as crop waste, the farmers would not burn the stubbles in the fields. www.cityairnews.com

(Please send your news/views/opinion/reaction, with complete address/contact No./photograph (if interested) to: [email protected])