Students must help curb farm fires: PAU experts

BSc Horticulture students of the fourth year of the rural agricultural work experience (RAWE) urged the school students and the villagers to stop their elders and fellow farmers from putting paddy straw on fire and motivate them to go in for in-situ management

The experts of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) appealed to the school children to come forward to combat the problem of farm fires, the rise of which is hazardous for the environment and the public at large.

Students must help curb farm fires: PAU experts (HT PHOTO)

During the awareness camp on “Crop residue management and crop diversification” at the Government High School, Rarka, the BSc Horticulture students of the fourth year of the rural agricultural work experience (RAWE) urged the school students and the villagers to stop their elders and fellow farmers from putting paddy straw on fire and motivate them to go in for in-situ management.

The chief guest MIS Gill, dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, made a call for adopting in-field technologies for rice residue management. Highlighting the pivotal role of horticulture in diversification, Gill stressed upon coming out of traditional wheat-paddy pattern for agricultural and environment sustainability.

Jagrup Kaur, an expert from PAU, warned the villagers against stubble burning which resulted in breathing problems for young and old, accidents on roads, and poor soil health. She also provided tips for the successful cultivation of wheat.

Experts Simrat Singh and KS Bhullar explained the importance of fruit cultivation in agri-diversification, and fruit and vegetable cultivation in kitchen garden, respectively.

Lakhvir Singh, agricultural development officer of Sudhar Block, informed about the subsidies being offered by the state government on farm machinery and wheat seed.

The in-charge of Rurka village Manveen Kaur Baath assured that the efforts of PAU would not go in vain but would help in decreasing paddy stubble burning and switching over to alternate crops such as fruit, vegetables, flowers and forestry for profitable and sustainable agriculture.

On the occasion, a rally was taken out by the experts and the students to spread the message of pollution-free environment. Besides, a poster making competition was also organised for the school students and later, winners were awarded prizes. A skit, showcasing the disastrous effects of paddy cultivation in terms of water depletion, soil health deterioration and air pollution, was enacted by the PAU students, namely Pragati, Raksa, Balkaran and Chamandeep. Present on the occasion were Dilpreet Talwar and Dr Ashok Dhakkar, PAU experts. The programme was conducted by the student Balreet Kaur.