LAHORE: The Punjab agriculture department has claimed that stubble burning practices have been reduced by 30 per cent in the core paddy growing area.

Director-General Extension Dr Anjum Ali told a meeting chaired by Minister for Agriculture Hussain Jahania Gardezi that 2,269 cases of burning paddy residues have been reported this year against 3,224 incidents during the last year.

He claimed that the area where paddy stubble was burnt also saw a decline from 11,619 acres previous season to 8,733 acres this year. Likewise, he said, at least 702 FIRs were registered against the farmers found burning paddy residues this year against 1,503 of last year.

The DG informed the meeting that the department set up 18,000 village volunteer committees to create awareness among the farmers on the issue, while mosques were also being used for the purpose.

The minister called for a survey of the core paddy areas to provide the farmers with modern machinery for the disposal of crop residues to promote pollution-free agriculture.

He suggested that the Judicial Water and Environment Commission should impose a fine on stubble burning on the basis of land holding so that small farmers could get relief.

Agriculture Secretary Ahmad Aziz Tarar said the problem of paddy residues burning in fields could be eradicated by introducing mechanisation.

DG Field Muhammad Akram told the meeting that the department had so far provided 1,075 Happy Seeder machines to the farmers at subsidised rates.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2022