Team Herald
PANJIM: The Directorate of Agriculture has appealed to all farmers to refrain from burning crop residue after harvesting paddy as burning stubble not only leads to air pollution but also depletes soil nutrients.
Harvesting of paddy generates large volume of residues/ stubbles both on and off farm. A large portion of crop residue is burnt ‘on-farm’ primarily to clean the field for sowing the next crop. Burning crop residue causes phenomenal pollution problems in the atmosphere and huge nutritional loss and physical health deterioration to the soil.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi has given Direction under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Protection and Control of Pollution Act 1981 for comprehensive management of paddy straw and other agro residues.
Directorate of Agriculture is creating awareness among the farming community to stop burning of crop residues and make appropriate use of it to avoid environmental pollution.