Rice residue burning has high global warming and pollution potentials: Dr J.S. Samra
Author(s): City Air NewsLudhiana, September 6, 2018: “Rice residue burning has high global warming and pollution potentials” observed Dr J.S.Samra, Former CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority, NITI Aayog, Government of India, while delivering...
Ludhiana, September 6, 2018: “Rice residue burning has high global warming and pollution potentials” observed Dr J.S.Samra, Former CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority, NITI Aayog, Government of India, while delivering his talk during the one-day brain storming workshop on “Crop Residue Management” at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. He was speaking on the topic “Generation of Bio CNG (Methane), Manure, Income, Employment and Clean Environment from Agro-waste” as a part of NAAS Series Lecture, organized by Ludhiana Chapter of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), PAU. On the occasion, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, was the chief guest while Dr Samra was the guest of honour.
Advocating the use of paddy straw for the production of Bio CNG, Dr Samra said in the near future vehicles will run on CNG. “The Government of India has ear marked 7,000 crore budget in 2018-19 for setting-up marketing infrastructure for Bio CNG. Indian Oil Corporation Limited has already signed memorandum of understanding with Punjab government for setting-up 400 plants in the state for the production of Bio CNG from paddy straw,” he disclosed. “Matter cannot be destroyed but using it in a right form is one of the best options to curb residue burning menace in the state,” he observed. Dr Samra stressed on thinking out of box and doing something class apart to tackle the problem of stubble burning in Punjab.
Dr J.S. Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, while giving presentation on “Paddy Straw Management – Challenges, Solutions and Experience,” divulged that 20 million tonnes of paddy straw is produced in Punjab. Stubble burning leads to loss of nutrients, health hazards and accidents, he added. Suggesting the options for straw management, he remarked “Best utilization of paddy straw is its retention in the soil.”
Dr H.S. Sidhu, Senior Research Engineer, Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), Ludhiana, said they are promoting the use of PAU Happy Seeder and PAU Super Straw Management System to manage crop residue in fields. Collection, residue incorporation and residue mulch are some of the straw management technologies involving the cost of Rs 2,500 per acre, Rs 4,500 per acre and Rs 1,500 per acre, respectively, he informed.
In addition, two scientists, namely Dr Manju Wadhwa from Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) and Dr Anil Kumar from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, shared their views on crop residue management. Experts from corporate sector also highlighted the initiatives taken by them in this direction.
Dr Dhillon appreciated the informative talk by the guest speaker, scientists and experts from corporate sector. Later, he honoured them with a memento.