Farmers Movement Archive

They are leading by example in managing stubble

Tribune News ServiceJalandhar, October 17Many leaders of farmers’ unions are leading by example and setting a precedent in environment conservation by choosing not to burn paddy stubble. They are doing this despite the clear stance by farmers unions to back all farmers who cannot afford stubble management (and hence choose to burn paddy stubble).Jaswinder Singh is the circle president of the Kirti Kisan Union in Kapurthala district. Hailing from Mangupur village in Kapurthala, he has not set fire to stubble for the past six to seven years. His passion for a clean environment has exhorted his neighbours and union members to follow suit.Paramjit Singh, state leader of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Kot Vadda), has not burnt paddy stubble for the past 10 to 15 years. It has now become a trend in this village (Baupur) where many have followed suit.While there are escalating diesel and equipment costs with paddy management, these union leaders have been following the practice not to burn stubble for years to conserve the environment.At Baupur village, which is called the little Sri Lanka (due to being one of the 16 island villages which have rivers on both their sides), a majority of the farmers don’t burn paddy stubble. The trend began with Paramjit Singh, a union leader and progressive farmer, who hasn’t set fire to his fields for the past 15 years.His brother is sarpanch of the same village. Their bountiful produce and healthy crop has caused many others to follow suit over the years.Ten years ago, when his wife was pregnant, Paramjit and his wife had a close shave in a field which was on fire. That incident proved a turning point.Ten years ago, my wife and I were caught in a field on fire. Thankfully we were able to escape on a bike. Our son Pritpal is now 10 years old. We call him a miracle child. Both of us took a decision that day that we would not set fire to our fields. I grow paddy on some of my land and on a lot of it we grow maize and vegetables. Every harvest, that scary vision of fire reminds me of the dangers of stubble burning. We have the river on both sides. But we don’t want to put pressure on the state’s water table. I run a Mulcher and plough all my crops. The impact is such that some farmers are now ashamed to set theirs on fire as they see their neighbour, who manage stubble, are getting a good crop yield. The excellent results have caused many to stop setting fire to their fields.”Paramjit’s decision has influenced not just his village but also many union members scattered across the district. Jaswinder Singh from Mangupur also leads by example.Jaswinder says, “I haven’t set fire to fields in the past seven years. I have run mulcher and ploughed my paddy fields. I will now sow a potato crop. I will be ready with my potato sowing before those who burn stubble. It is a myth that stubble management is more time consuming. The fad is yet to catch up in the village. A few people have followed but a majority still burn stubble. But in my union many have been impacted by my decisions and I also share with them the better results. Everyone knows the environment is my first priority. Despite marginal farmers’ problems, stubble burning has reduced much this year.”Both farmers agree that poor farmers cannot afford to manage stubble with escalating diesel costs. “There should be a subsidy of about Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 for poor farmers and then they can happily manage stubble. Diesel costs are not affordable for many,” Jaswinder added.

The Tribune

2021-10-18