Stop Burning Stubble in Ambala: Farmers Earn Extra Income by Selling Bales or Making Organic Fertilizer via Super Seeder, Government Offers 1200 Rupees Subsidy Ambala farmers have two efficient alternatives to manage paddy stubble instead of burning it: selling compressed bales or mixing it into the soil with super seeders, backed by a 1200 rupees per acre government subsidy. Post harvest crop residue in Ambala fields no longer needs to be a headache for farmers, as it can be transformed into a reliable source of additional income. Burning stubble not only diminishes the natural fertility of the soil and elevates environmental pollution, but proper management of these residues can yield profitable returns. Farmers in Haryana currently have two practical alternatives at their disposal. They can either process the stubble into compressed bales for commercial sale or utilize advanced agricultural machinery to mix the residue directly into the soil, thereby generating natural organic fertilizer. To encourage this sustainable practice, the government is extending a financial subsidy of 1200 rupees per acre to participating farmers. Stubble Burning Causes Severe Harm to Soil and Environment The primary challenge faced by cultivators after harvesting paddy is preparing their fields expeditiously for the upcoming wheat sowing season. Driven by tight turnaround times, several farmers resort to setting fire to the leftover stubble, releasing thick smoke that pollutes the surrounding atmosphere. Furthermore, burning damages the top layer of the earth, destroying beneficial soil microorganisms and essential nutrients in the process. This adverse impact compromises subsequent crop yields, frequently forcing farmers to utilize higher quantities of fertilizers, water, and chemical pesticides later on. Modern Technology Transforms Crop Residue Management Dr. Rajendra, an agricultural expert at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Tepla Ambala, informed that residue management used to be a daunting challenge for cultivators, but modern technology has streamlined the process. Farmers are now utilizing specialized machinery to properly handle stubble instead of setting it ablaze. Dr. Rajendra highlighted two highly beneficial methods for residue management. Following the harvesting of paddy by combine harvesters, farmers can gather the leftover stubble from the fields and convert it into structured bales using baler or straw baler machinery, which collects scattered residue and compresses it into dense bundles. Commercial Sale of Bales and Collaborative Machine Operations These compressed bundles can be sold for various commercial applications. Dr. Rajendra noted that baler machines are available in adequate numbers throughout the Ambala district. In many instances, machine operators do not charge farmers any fee for baling the stubble; instead, they bundle and transport the material away themselves to sell it for their own earnings. This arrangement leaves the farmer's field cleared without any out-of-pocket expense while providing an income stream for the machinery operators. The collected stubble finds extensive utility in applications such as dry fodder for livestock, raw material for cardboard manufacturing, and biomass-based energy generation. Super Seeders and SMS Systems Help Integrate Residue into Soil According to Dr. Rajendra, farmers can also choose to incorporate the stubble directly into the soil to serve as organic fertilizer, a process where agricultural implements like super seeders prove immensely useful. A super seeder places the residue neatly into the soil while simultaneously sowing wheat seeds in a single operation, eliminating any necessity for field fires. He explained that combine harvesters are also equipped with Crop Residue Management systems, known as SMS, which chop the stubble into fine pieces and scatter them evenly across the field before the super seeder mixes the material into the earth. Restoring Soil Health and Reducing Farming Input Costs Over time, the integrated stubble decomposes naturally to function as organic fertilizer, enriching the soil with vital nutrients and preparing a robust seedbed for the next crop. Fields managed through this approach require significantly lower expenditure on chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals, offering substantial benefits in potato cultivation as well. Dr. Rajendra pointed out that farmers who adopt proper residue management are granted a financial subsidy of 1200 rupees per acre by the government, easing the economic burden of sustainable practices. Ongoing trials with smart seeders are also underway to introduce even better options for farmers. What this means for you Adopting proper stubble management practices provides cultivators with direct financial incentives and improved long-term crop productivity. • In Ambala and Haryana: Farmers receive a direct government subsidy of 1200 rupees per acre for implementing proper residue management. This financial support helps offset preparation costs while improving the fertility of the soil for subsequent crop cycles. • General Impact: Avoiding field fires reduces localized atmospheric pollution and preserves beneficial soil microorganisms. Consequently, farmers experience lower input costs on chemical fertilizers and achieve sustainable crop yields over time. Why this happened Farmers traditionally resorted to burning stubble due to tight turnaround windows between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, coupled with the necessity to clear fields rapidly. • Time Constraints: The narrow window between harvesting paddy and planting wheat creates immense pressure to clear fields expeditiously. • Traditional Methods: Removing crop residue manually without modern machinery was labor-intensive, making burning seem like a quicker alternative. • Government Intervention: To combat rising air pollution and soil degradation, administrative bodies actively promote modern machinery like balers and super seeders. Questions & Answers 1. How much subsidy does the government offer for stubble management in Ambala? The government provides a financial subsidy of 1200 rupees per acre to farmers who practice proper stubble management. 2. Which machine is used to create bales out of stubble? A baler or straw baler machine is utilized to collect scattered stubble and compress it into structured bales. 3. What is the function of a super seeder machine? A super seeder integrates stubble directly into the soil while simultaneously planting wheat seeds in the field. 4. What is the purpose of the SMS system in combine harvesters? The SMS system chops stubble into fine pieces and scatters them evenly across the field during the harvesting process. 5. What are the commercial uses of straw bales? Straw bales are used for dry livestock fodder, cardboard manufacturing, and biomass-based energy generation. https://trendkia.com/en/haryana/stop-burning-stubble-in-ambala-farmers-earn-extra-income-by-selling-bales-or-making-organic-fertilizer-via-super-seeder-government-59663 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.