Kaithal, Haryana — As the issue of stubble burning continues to pose a significant environmental challenge in many parts of India, the agriculture department in Kaithal district has stepped up efforts to tackle the problem at the grassroots level. Dr. Babu Lal, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department, recently discussed the district’s approach to combating stubble burning and the measures being implemented to curb its harmful effects.
Speaking about the district’s initiatives, Dr. Babu Lal said, “In Kaithal district, we have formed teams specifically to address this issue. There are block-level teams as well as village-level teams that are actively working in the field. These teams go to the villages and provide assistance to the farmers.”
The formation of these teams is a crucial step in the fight against stubble burning, a practice where farmers burn the leftover straw from their rice crops to quickly clear fields for the next planting season. The practice, although efficient in the short term, has detrimental long-term impacts, including air pollution and damage to the soil’s health.
In addition to the field teams, Dr. Babu Lal highlighted the efforts of the district’s mobile awareness campaigns. “Our mobile van is also running, which is conducting awareness campaigns across the district,” he said. The mobile van aims to educate farmers on alternative methods of disposing of crop residue and the long-term benefits of sustainable farming practices.
Despite these initiatives, stubble burning incidents continue to occur in Kaithal. “As far as the cases are concerned, till now, 97 cases have been reported in Kaithal district,” Dr. Babu Lal revealed. However, the agriculture department remains committed to reducing this number by providing resources, information, and alternatives to the farmers.
The Haryana government has been taking various steps to discourage stubble burning, including offering subsidies on equipment that can help farmers manage their crop residue without burning it. Additionally, financial incentives and penalties are being enforced to encourage compliance.
The issue of stubble burning is complex, requiring both immediate action and long-term commitment from all stakeholders. The efforts in Kaithal are part of a broader statewide and national initiative to reduce the practice, which has far-reaching consequences for public health and the environment.
As awareness grows and more resources are provided to the farming community, it is hoped that the incidence of stubble burning will continue to decline, leading to cleaner air and healthier ecosystems for all.
