Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varinder Kumar Sharma today said that farmers must not strew thorns ahead of their future generations by burning paddy straw, which was polluting the atmosphere on one hand and reducing the fertility of soil on the other.Addressing the gathering during Kisan Mela organized at Krishi Vigyan Kendra here today, the Deputy Commissioner said that burning of paddy straw was very hazardous for the farmers and land, which was considered mother by our agriculturalists. He said that since ages the farmers have been using green fertilizer in term of decomposed tree leaves and farm residue which was instrumental in enhancing the fertility of soil. However, Mr. Sharma said that after green revolution the farmers has opted for chemical fertilizers and gradually shunned the practice of using decomposed fertilizers, which was proving detrimental for soil health.The Deputy Commissioner unequivocally said that burning of paddy straw was hardly a solution for the farm residue management as it ruins the health of soil besides casting a castigating affect on the environment. He said that it was unfortunate that though we were taking so much from the land but in return we were not giving anything to it in terms of taking steps to enhance its fertility and improve its health. Mr. Sharma warned that if this dangerous trend continues then the onus of polluting the environment and ruining the future of our younger generations would lie on us.
The Deputy Commissioner said that due to burning of paddy straw several major nutrients and other micro nutrients of soil were destroyed. He said that the burning of paddy straw produces several poisonous gases which have adverse effect on human health. Mr. Sharma said that instead of burning the paddy straw the farmers must adopt effective methods for its management through latest techniques.The Deputy Commissioner said that the farmers must adopt the latest techniques for this purpose through cooperative societieson custom hiring basis or by pooling the resources. He said that the time was ripe when farmers must adopt the innovative techniques in thelarger interest of humanity. Mr. Sharma said that the farmers of the state were hard working and resilient who have always shown the way to the nation whether through green revolution or by making the country self reliant in food production.Meanwhile, in his address eminent environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal expressed grave concern over the trend of burning paddy straw which was in complete contrast of the path shown by great Sikh Gurus. He said that the burning of paddy straw was a cause of concern because it was causing irreparable damage to our flora and fauna. Sant Baba Seechewal said that the government must incentivize the farmers to encourage them for not burning the paddy straw.On the occasion Member Administrative Board of the Punjab Agriculture University Dr. Darshan Singh Brar and Deputy Director Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dr. Kuldeep Singh also addressed the gathering.The Deputy Commissioner and Sant Seechewal also felicitated the progressive farmers who have vowed not to burn paddy.