Ludhiana dist’s stubble burning incidents drop to less than half from 2022

Between April 1 to May 9, the district recorded 229 stubble burning this Kharif season — less than half of the 772 incidents of crop residue burning that were witnessed in 2022

With the wheat harvest season approaching its end, several farmers have set the leftover residue consisting of wheat straw on fire to clear the farm for paddy sowing. However, as per the figures shared by the administration, this year, Ludhiana district has witnessed a significant 70% drop in stubble burning cases between 2022 to 2023.

As per the authorities, Punjab so far, has reported 4,206 farm fires this season (HT File Photo)

Between April 1 to May 9, the district recorded 229 stubble burning this Kharif season — less than half of the 772 incidents of crop residue burning that were witnessed in 2022.

As per the authorities, Punjab so far, has reported 4,206 farm fires this season. Of these, 5.44% cases have been reported from Ludhiana and its adjoining area.

Speaking about the decline in the number of farm farms reported this season, Punjab Agriculture University’s (PAU) extension education director GS Buttar stated, “Straw residue is widely used as animal fodder, therefore, farmers in Punjab usually do not set that on fire.”

“In addition to that, frequent rains this year during harvesting and after have also led to decrease in farm fires this season,” Buttar added.

Explaining why setting the residue on fire is harmful for soil, ecology and for the farmer at large, he further said, “Microorganisms of the soil get destroyed, plants near the farm get adversely impacted and of course blaze takes a toll on the physical condition of the soil.”

PAU issues agri advisory

Notably, mass scale awareness programmes are drawn every year to spread awareness amongst the farmers to keep them from burning the stubble. Contributing to the same, PAU has also been issuing agri advisory every other week for farmers, imparting do’s and don’ts for agricultural practices.

The latest advisory issued on May 10, reads, “Farmers are advised not to burn wheat straw but plough the same in the field as it will improve the fertility of soil. Burning not only spoils the atmosphere but also destroys the nutrients of soil.”