Patiala: Initiative launched to curb incidents of farm fires

Punjab: In an effort to tackle air pollution and promote sustainable agricultural practices, the Patiala administration has launched the ‘Satta Cha Gall Ate Hall’ (Community Gathering for Discussion and Solutions) programme. The initiative aims to organise farmers across the district by educating them about eco-friendly techniques of managing crop residue. The ‘Pind Di Satt’ is a common meeting place, usually a circular cemented floor under a banyan tree, where residents of all ages from a village discuss politics and various social issues. The administration is set to target these ‘Sattas’ in view of the rising incidents of farm fires. So far, 212 farm fires have been reported in the district.

As part of the programme, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav said that the authorities have started holding awareness programmes for farmers at various community gatherings (Pind Di Satt) across the district. He said in the sessions held from 7am to 8am and 6pm to 7pm, farmers are informed about in-situ and ex-situ techniques of stubble management, focusing on sustainable alternatives to stubble burning. He said the officials visit central village places and religious centres to create an accessible learning platform for farmers. Dr Yadav said the district administration has also set up a call centre through which they contact around 63,000 farmers in the district who have either already harvested their paddy or are about to harvest in a few days.

“Through this initiative, we are helping farmers understand the negative impacts of stubble burning. Our aim is to make stubble management practical and achievable by educating them about effective techniques,” Dr Yadav said. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development), Anuprita Johal has been appointed as the nodal officer of the programme to ensure seamless execution and wider reach across the district. He said a strategic programme has been developed, which will allow officers to visit the gathering area of ​​every village within the district. Along with meetings with local panchayats, announcements are being made on loudspeakers through gurdwaras and temples to spread awareness on the subject, the ADC said. He said this layered approach to information dissemination underlines the administration’s commitment to support farmers in reducing air pollution and adopting eco-friendly practices.