HARYANA: STUBBLE BURNING IN SIRSA A 'FARMER'S COMPULSION,' SAYS LEADER

Stubble burning persists as a critical issue in Haryana, with recent incidents underscoring farmers' reliance on this practice due to limited access to sustainable alternatives and essential resources.

- TBG NETWORK

Stubble burning in Haryana remains a pressing issue, as another incident was reported recently in the village of Farwai Kalan, Sirsa. Despite efforts to curb this practice, stubble burning continues due to the challenges faced by local farmers, who view it as an unavoidable necessity. The government's current approach, according to local farm leaders, lacks the provision of adequate resources and support for farmers who cannot afford alternatives to stubble burning.

A key voice in this matter, farm leader Lakhwinder Aulakh, expressed deep frustration with the situation, noting that stubble burning has become an "inescapable compulsion" for many farmers. Aulakh highlighted that small-scale farmers, those who own limited plots of 1 to 5 acres, do not have access to the machinery needed for sustainable stubble disposal. These farmers typically own smaller tractors and lack the finances to purchase or rent large, expensive equipment like crop residue management (CRM) machines, which are vital to process and dispose of stubble effectively. Without this equipment, farmers are left with few alternatives beyond burning the residue, even though they are aware of the detrimental effects on the environment and their own soil health.