In a commendable initiative, a group of 20 young farmers from villages Patto and surrounding areas in Moga district have taken a collective pledge to refrain from burning stubble in their fields, covering an impressive 250 acres of land. Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal visited their fields to appreciate their efforts and encourage others to follow suit.
Farmer Satnam Singh, one of the pioneers of this initiative, shared that he and his friends have been promoting this practice since 2016. "We made a conscious decision to stop burning stubble and instead adopt sustainable agricultural practices," Satnam Singh explained. "By doing so, we've not only reduced our costs but also increased our yields."
The group's approach involves Not burning stubble, instead incorporating it into the soil, Using machinery provided by the Punjab government to manage stubble, Planting potatoes within 3-4 days of harvesting paddy, reducing soil preparation time and Minimizing fertilizer usage, relying on organic matter. By not burning stubble, they save around ₹3000 per acre on fertilizers and get an additional 10 quintals of potato yield per acre.
They utilize machinery provided by the Punjab government and urge others to adopt this eco-friendly approach. Deputy Commissioner Sarangal applauded the group's initiative, emphasizing the importance of sustainable agriculture. "If our youth takes the lead, we can achieve remarkable success.
I urge all farmers, especially the younger generation, to join this mission to protect our environment and secure our future." The Deputy Commissioner insisted that sustainable agriculture practices can reduce costs and increase yields. Collective efforts can inspire positive change.
Youth leadership can drive environmental conservation. He said that Moga district has over 7300 agricultural machines available for farmers, with more to be provided if needed.