Training on Rice Crop Residue Management

P.G Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College  organized one day Rice Straw Residue in situ management. Er. Ranbir Singh Randhawa from State Agricultural Department said that approximately 20 MT rice straw is produced annually in Punjab which is subjected to burning. This training assuming significance in the present time when newspaper headlines point to various Kissan Unions appealing the farmers to defy the ban orders of the govt. that not burn the rice stubbles after harvesting Farmers are also in a dilemma of following the ban order or not. Actually they have only 15 days to deal with rice stubbles and burning was the easiest way although it is not eco-friendly. This problem of straw burning can be solved at farmer level with latest machinery now available. Resultantly plant nutrients like 5.5 Kg nitrogen, 2 Kg phosphorus and 20 Kg Potassium per ton of rice straw get lost in the smoke. He presented in detail how an ordinary Combine Harvester could be modified for chopping of rice straw that can be easily incorporated in the soil. He showed practically in the field that with this chopper, farmers can sow wheat once paddy harvesting is over. In case vegetable are to be sown after paddy harvesting chopper cum shredder/ Mulcher is recommended. He further said that Govt.  is offering Rs. 44,000 for Happy Seeder, Rs. 50,000 for harvesting combine and Rs. 71,000 for Mulcher working subsidy for purchase and modification of these machines. He also suggested list of selected workshops working  in the state on subsidized rates. Dr. Mehal Singh Principal Khalsa College, Amritsar and HOD Dr. Randeep Kaur Bal were present during the field  demonstration. The Principal suggested Agriculture students to disseminates the information of improved techniques is every village and save Punjab from environment hazards of burning of rice straw.