Interviewing farmers in Mohali, Punjab, Xpertimes explored their motivations behind persisting with stubble burning practices.
Punjab’s Mohali region:
Once again, Delhi is grappling with poor air quality, attributing much of the issue to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. The practice, which has long been associated with the choking smog in the national capital, is once more in focus. Amidst the blame directed at farmers for the alarming pollution levels in Delhi, NDTV has engaged in conversations with a few farmers to delve into their motivations for persisting with stubble burning.
In Mohali district of Punjab, one can observe piles of stubble scattered across the farmlands as farmers anticipate the arrival of government-provided machinery to handle the crop residue. Expressing their plight, a farmer mentioned, “Our hands are tied as the planting season is already underway. Typically, our fields would have been prepared and ploughed by now. Unfortunately, the stubble remains uncleared, hindering tractor operations. While authorities mention the availability of baler machines, their insufficient quantity poses a challenge.
Responding to the government’s claim that farmers are burning stubble despite being given necessary equipment, another farmer recounted a meeting with agriculture officials. In this meeting, the farmers requested a solution to address the issue. Initially, the officials mentioned sending machines to help, but later reneged on this promise, citing the unsuitability of the machines for small land holdings.
The owner of vast farmland highlighted the necessity for the governmental Cooperation department to initiate a scheme utilizing crop stubble for producing beneficial byproducts like oil. He pointed out, “The machinery isn’t practical for small-scale landowners aiming to clear crop residue independently.” He added, “There is a lack of tangible availability of these machines at the grassroots level; they only exist on paper. I challenge you to find a single machine with any farmer. Even cooperative societies are devoid of them.
A dense blanket of smog greeted the residents of Delhi today, with the Air Quality Index indicating ‘very poor’ levels in multiple areas. Measures outlined in Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan are currently being implemented.
In an effort to improve collaboration in combating air pollution in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recommended that residents utilize public transportation and regularly change the air filters in their vehicles. Furthermore, individuals have been counseled to steer clear of activities that produce dust and refrain from engaging in the open burning of solid waste and biomass.
The failure to prosecute individuals responsible for stubble burning prompted the Supreme Court to reprimand the Punjab and Haryana governments. The chief secretaries of both states have been summoned to provide clarification on the matter.
