In a recent session of the Rajya Sabha, MP Kartikey Sharma raised important questions concerning the challenges of stubble burning and water conservation in Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh. He wanted to know whether high-value crop substitution for paddy has been undertaken so far, the effects of the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, on paddy sowing and stubble burning, and whether the government had contemplated early paddy sowing by a month or more to reduce stubble burning. He also wanted to know the steps the government had taken to develop water-saving, early-maturing varieties of paddy to support the harvesting in time. To this, Shri Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has briefed the government’s initiatives and strategies for these sensitive issues.
Alternative High-Value Crop Substitution: The Way Ahead
Maize is perhaps the most promising alternative crop to paddy. This can also serve the twin purpose of reducing stubble burning as well as the enhancement of bioethanol. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has actively been conducting outreach programs focused on promoting maize in the states of Punjab and Haryana. The Participatory Innovation Platform on Potential Yield Realization of Maize-Based Cropping Systems in Punjab and Haryana (2021-23) has revealed that the yield range of maize is between 57.33 quintals/hectare and 76.00 quintals/hectare in Punjab and between 61.33 quintals/hectare and 77.00 quintals/hectare in Haryana. As these numbers present the scope for maximizing yields through the best agronomic practices, they provide an effective alternative route toward sustained productive paddy cultivation.
Besides maize, the promotion of high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables is also being encouraged to diversify farming in the region. The Crop Diversification Programme was initiated by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) in the original Green Revolution States of Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh since 2013-14. This programme encourages crop diversification of paddy cultivation with oilseeds, pulses, coarse cereals, cotton, and agroforestry.
The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009: Delaying Paddy Sowing
The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, was enacted to arrest the declining water table in the state and protect groundwater. The State of Punjab has determined specific sowing dates for Direct Seeded Rice and transplantation for paddy during the year 2024 at par with the break out of monsoon. The purpose of this step is to protect the groundwater, but it has also diminished the sowing time for wheat after paddy harvesting.
Delayed Sowing Linked to Stubble Burning
The delayed sowing schedule enforced by the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act has sparked concerns that it may be fueling the stubble burning practice. In that regard, the government has been nudging growers to sow water-efficient, fast-maturing (early-maturing) paddy varieties to ensure that paddy harvest is done in time. That would ensure an efficient sowing and harvesting schedule; it could help bridge the time gap between paddy and wheat crops and can further cut down the stubble-burning season.
For further support to this, mechanized implements like Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, and Smart Seeder have been innovated.These provide an opportunity to directly sow wheat into fields after the paddy harvest without burning or removing the straw, thus performing a very important role in preventing stubble burning.
Water-Efficient, Fast-Maturing Paddy Varieties: Novel Solution
The government is developing water-efficient paddy varieties adaptable to aerobic conditions with support from the ICAR. It could be sown directly in the field and avoided transplanting.This avoids puddling and saves huge quantities of water. The National Rice Research Institute, ICAR, has brought out aerobic rice varieties such as CR Dhan 200 (Pyari), CR Dhan (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209, 210, 211, 212, and 214). Punjab Agricultural University at Ludhiana has also developed short-duration paddy varieties such as PR-121 and PR-126, which are useful for rapid harvesting cycles.
A Joint Initiative Towards Sustainable Agriculture
These efforts reflect a broader push toward sustainable agriculture practices that should align productivity with resource conservation. The government is trying to avoid stubble burning while saving the environment and achieving food security through crop diversification, water-saving and early-maturing varieties of paddy, and mechanized sowing.
In view of the importance of innovation and cooperation in solving complex problems that the farmers of Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh have presented to Parliament by Ramnath Thakur in his efforts.
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