Swachhta Pakhwada (15/10/2018 to 31/10/2018)
1. Prevention of Stubble Burning-Happy Seeders : Stubble burning is one of the major
sources of air pollution in Punjab & is also responsible for worsening of air quality up to
New Delhi. Throughout October & November every year, farmers from Punjab burn an
estimated 20 million tons of stubble after harvesting crops.
Commissioner GST Commissionerate, Ludhiana identified a project to prevent stubble
burning. The same included a multi prong approach of providing
infrastructure/machinery, creating awareness & educating the farmers.
Under this project which has been executed in collaboration with Punjab Agriculture
University, Ludhiana two Happy Seeders have been provided to the Director, Krishi
Vigyan Kendra(PAU), Samrala, Ludhiana. These happy seeders are being provided free
of cost to the farmers of four villages Mehduda, Sultanpur, Khera and Lopo in Samrala
Division(Ludhiana) to encourage farmers not to burn stubble. The happy seeders are
being deployed in these villages under the aegis of KVK( PAU). The happy seeders shall
be returned to the Commissionerate after sowing season is over by the PAU & shall be
deployed over the years in different villages to promote awareness about alternatives to
stubble burning.
KVK(PAU) , Samrala estimates that stubble burning shall be
prevented in atleast 2000- 2500 Kanals of land , which shall be sowed with the help of
these happy seeders this season upto November 2018.
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Picture of the Happy Seeder deployed at four villages at Samrala.
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Happy Seeder at KVK PAU, Samrala
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Further to create awareness amongst the farmers about the deleterious effects of stubble
burning & different alternatives to stubble burning, various steps were undertaken. A
short video clip of famous cricketer Mr. Harbhajan Singh was shown to the farmers of
these four villages on projectors, wherein he is appealing to the farmers to use Happy
Seeders & not burn stubble . This video was also circulated on whatsapp in both Hindi
& Punjabi languages.
Still picture of the video circulated on whatsapp and shown on projector.
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With the help of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, KVK(PAU) a rally/procession was taken out on
30.10.2018 in Lopo village, Samrala , Ludhiana urging farmers not to burn stubble & use happy seeders
instead. The rally was lead by the staff of GST Commissionerate Ludhiana & Director KVK(PAU)
Samrala.
Rally at Lopo Village , Samrala on 30/10/2018
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Nukar Nataks / skits are being performed by students of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha in
these four villages urging farmers not to burn stubble & protect the environment.
Also training and demonstrations on how to use the happy seeders were conducted by
KVK(PAU) and JBNR Trust, Fazilka in these four villages for the benefit of farmers.
Pictures of training and demonstrations
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