26th October 2024, Ludhiana
ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana in collaboration with ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal organized a National Dialogue on Paddy Straw Management towards achieving mission zero burning today.
Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) highlighted that paddy straw burning is a national issue requiring collaboration among farmers, researchers, extension workers, and policymakers. He urged the farmers to commit to the CRM pledge to avoid burning paddy straw, emphasizing its importance for soil health and the environment. Additionally, Dr Pathak stressed the need for farmers to learn about various management technologies for paddy straw, considering factors such as crop variety and irrigation needs. Effective implementation of action plans by ICAR-ATARIs and ICAR-KVKs is crucial for raising awareness and building capacity among stakeholders to achieve the goal of a Zero Burning Mission, he added.
Special Guest Dr S.K. Chaudhari, DDG (NRM), urged for natural farming as an alternative for managing rice residues and enhancing soil health. Dr Chaudhari emphasized the need for capacity building, gathering feedback from farmers and relevant departments, and the active involvement of CHCs in developing both ex-situ and in-situ frameworks for paddy straw management.
Dr Rajbir Singh, Assistant Director General (NRM) spoke about his experiences in meticulously designing the road map for successful implementation of IEC activities.
Dr R.K. Singh, Assistant Director General (Agril. Extension) highlighted the region-specific solutions and collaborative action plans for effective convergence and reach the last mile farmers.
Dr Parvender Sheoran, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana, discussed the current state of crop residue management and the initiatives launched by ATARIs and KVKs for paddy straw management. He accentuated that over 1,350 villages have been adopted under the CRM project, with more than 300 villages in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh achieving burning-free status. Dr Sheoran also highlighted opportunities for improving the use of CRM machines at both the farmer and CHC levels.
Dr J.P. Mishra, Director, ICAR-ATARI-Jodhpur, stressed the importance of showcasing the tangible and intangible benefits of adopting CRM technologies and providing incentives for farmers
The dialogue focused on strategies to tackle the environmental and agricultural challenges associated with paddy straw burning, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Participants observed live demonstrations of various management techniques, such as the Happy Seeder, Smart Seeder, Super Seeder, Surface Seeder, and Bailers, aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders. Additionally, innovative and sustainable methods for in-situ paddy straw management were discussed, including converting straw into bioenergy, compost, and industrial products. The conversation highlighted practical solutions like adopting new technologies, incentivizing farmers to consider alternatives, and improving policies to support the Mission Zero Burning initiative.
More than 400 participants including the farmers, PCs, and Nodal Officers of 60 implementing KVKs, scientists from ICAR institutes, environmentalists, policymakers, and representatives from the agricultural industry participated in this event.
(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana)
Read more: https://www.icar.org.in/national-dialogue-paddy-straw-management
