In a shining example of sustainable agriculture, 50-year-old farmer Major Singh from Bahadarpur village in Mansa district has transformed barren dunes into thriving fertile fields without burning stubble for nearly two decades. Major Singh's stubble management practices have not only enriched his soil but also delivered bumper crop yields.
Major Singh s/o Baghel Singh owns and cultivates 7 acres of land. His journey began in 1993 when he purchased a tractor to level the sandy dunes for farming. Frustrated by poor soil restoration, he sought advice from experts at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana.
"The soil in dunes lacks organic matter," the expert told him. "To boost production, plough the stubble back into the fields instead of burning it."Heeding the guidance, Major Singh committed to zero stubble burning. For years, he incorporated stubble into the soil before ploughing and sowing.
Over the last three years, he switched to a super seeder machine. He said that last year wheat yield hit around 28 quintals per acre, compared to the average of 24 quintals of other farmers. Paddy crop this season exceeded 26 quintals per acre.
In one acre he grew maize without use of any chemical and yield hit 28 quintals. Looking ahead, Major Singh is expanding crop diversification. "Next year, I'll plant cotton. To keep the land fertile, every farmer must adopt stubble management and diversification, he added.
Deputy Commissioner Navjot Kaur IAS visited Major Singh's fields in Bahadarpur. Major Singh is a role model for farmers of the district. The district administration will honour such progressive farmers, she added.
Deputy Commissioner Navjot Kaur and SSP Bhagirath Meena with farmer Major Singh (in center).