PROGRESSIVE FARMER GURDEEP SINGH FOLLOWING HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS OF NOT BURNING PADDY STRAW

IS ALSO CONTRIBUTING IN MISSION TANDRUST PUNJAB OF PUNJAB GOVT Ludhiana, October 22, 2018: The Punjab government’s initiative of not burning paddy straw under Mission Tandrust Punjab is gaining momentum as several farmers are supporting this mission. It is only due to the success of Mission Tandrust Punjab, that several farmers have decided not to burn paddy straw this time. And in Ludhiana district, several progressive farmers have pledged not to burn paddy straw. One such farmer named Gurdeep Singh (35), a resident of village Barma near Machhiwara, is cultivating around 15 acres of land since the year 2003. He said that his ancestors never set paddy straw on fire and that is why, he is also walking into their footsteps. Gurdeep Singh informed that in his total land, he cultivates paddy on 10 acres and sugarcane on the remaining. He says that when some people set paddy straw on fire, it really hurts him because it is due to the acts of such irresponsible people that our soil health and environment is deteriorating. He informed that with the help of experts at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Samrala and Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, he is not into successful management of paddy straw. He informed that he ploughs agri waste and straw in his fields itself and it still gives him good results. He informed that he sows only those varieties of paddy that have been recommended by the Punjab Agricultural University and that is why he has ample time to sow wheat after cultivating the paddy crop. He informed that after the paddy is cultivated using combine, he uses cutter to lay straw in the field and mows it several times. Then the field is left idle for a few days and is ploughed later. This process is repeated a few times after which the field is ready for sowing next crop. He said that by ploughing the paddy straw in the field itself, it helps him save on pesticides as the use decreases considerably as compared to other farmers. He said that some other farmers have also adopted his technique that makes him really happy. He has appealed to the farmers to not burn paddy straw and contribute in saving our environment as well as the soil health.