National Farmers’ Conference on In-Situ Residue Management organized

9^th September, 2019, New Delhi

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India jointly organized the National Conference of Farmers on Promoting In-Situ Residue Management at Scale for Clean and Green Environment at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex today.

 

Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare stated that the short duration of cultivation between two crops and unavailability of work force led to the situation of stubble burning. Citing the practice as one of the dangerous steps being taken by the farmers, the Minister briefed about the future health hazards.

Shri Rupala highlighted about the various facilities like Custom Hiring Centres and Loan Facilities, etc. that are being made available by the government for the farmers’ welfare. He applauded the efforts of the Officials of ICAR, Extension Centres, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes and Agricultural Universities for realizing the various schemes of the government. The Minister urged the farmers for their due support to get the prompt solutions for the ever-increasing problems being caused by the stubble burning.

Highlighting the importance of farm mechanization, the Minister urged the ICAR Officials to make documentaries and films that can encourage the farmers to adopt the farm mechanization practices on a large scale. He also opined for filming the success stories of the farmers who enhanced their income with greater productivity by adopting the In-Situ Residue Management practices. Shri Rupala also urged the farmers for taking an oath to not to burn the crops residues in the near future.

Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Agriculture Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh highlighted about the health hazards caused by the crops residue burning, importance of In-Situ Residue Management, its benefits and the various farmers beneficiary schemes of the government. He stated that such initiatives have led to reduce the incidents of stubble burning in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

Shri Shahi stressed on the fact that the stubble burning not only affects the environment, but it is very harmful for the human health and even drastically affects that soil productivity capacity too. Citing the facts and figures of the successful implementation of the practices of In-situ Residue Management, the Minister applauded the role played by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in the designated direction. He also urged the farmers to adopt the practice as this would help in enhancing the farmers’ income.

Shri Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India outlined the various farmers’ welfare schemes of the government.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) applauded the various Agricultural Departments, ICAR Officials / Scientists and farmers for their commendable works for the welfare of the farming communities. He also highlighted about the successful implementation of practices of In-Situ Residue Management in around 4,500 villages so far.

Dr. Mohapatra stated that the practices of In-Situ Residue Management by the farmers will help in enhancing the farm production, their income and health. He emphasized that about 100 public welfare organizations including Krishi Vigyan Kendras, ICAR Institutions, State Agricultural Departments and Agricultural Universities, etc., are playing their pivotal roles for realizing the target.

The Director General underlined the High Level Task Force established by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for monitoring and regularizing the practices of In-Situ Residue Management in the States of Punjab (North-Western States), Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

 

Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana; Shri Ashwini Kumar, Additional Secretary (Seeds/M&T), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare and Shri Manmohan Kalia, Deputy Director, Agriculture (Engineering), Government of Punjab gave presentations on In-Situ Residue Management.

The farmers were awarded for their commendable contribution in the adoption of the In-Situ Residue Management. The various Officials were also bestowed with Certificates of Appreciation during the occasion.

The occasion also marked the releasing ceremony of various Journals by the ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana.

Shri Bimbadhar Pradhan, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor (DARE/ICAR); Smt. Dolly Chakrabarty, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare; Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR and Dr. K. Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering) also marked their presence during the occasion.

More than 1,500 farmers participated in the conference.

Shri Ashwini Kumar, Additional Secretary (Seeds/M&T), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare proposed the Vote of Thanks.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, Pusa, New Delhi)