FATEHGARH SAHIB: Punjab Regional Office, NABARD, Chandigarh launched a campaign against paddy straw burning (crop residue management) in 160 villages of district Fatehgarh Sahib in the district level training meet presided over by deputy commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib Prashant Kumar Goyal.

 

Goyal appreciated the efforts being taken by NABARD to curb stubble burning. He said with the efforts of all relevant departments stubble burning has been reduced remarkably during last year. "It is dire need of the hour to make farmers aware about the ill-effects of stubble burning", said Goyal.

 

He disclosed that the main goal of the campaign is to reduce stubble burning and avoid environmental pollution and mitigate climate change. The campaign will focus on the demonstration and awareness regarding the use of various machinery or practices. Besides creating awareness regarding the alternate use of paddy straw and adoption of various machinery, alternative practices and technologies by the farmers, awareness among farmers would be also created regarding the improvement of soil health.

 

Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, DDM, Nabard, Fatehgarh Sahib, said that stubble burning in the field leads to various issues with respect to pollution, soil nutrient loss, increment in CO2 emission and suspended particulate matter in atmosphere affecting the environment and human health. Stubble burning is the main contributor to climate change in the State and also the major concern for stakeholders.

 

 

Keeping in view the above facts, a project on Climate Resilience Building in Rural areas through crop Residue Management has been sanctioned by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change; Government of India. Under this project, NABARD is to conduct the awareness campaign in all the districts of the State.