Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Zamindara Farmsolutions Hosts Regional Training Course on Conservation Agriculture: For Sustainable agriculture in South Asia.

30th November 2010

There has been a tremendous shift in the production variables of modern farming over traditional plow based farming and even then, the most farming revolved around tillage and labor intensive farming. Declining soil organic carbon (SOC) status of soils has been main shift in agriculture from 'traditional animal based subsistence' to 'intensive chemical and tractor based' agriculture that multiplied problems associated with sustainability of natural resources. The SOC concentration in most cultivated soils of India is less than 5 g/kg compared with 15 to 20 g/kg in uncultivated virgin soils. More specifically, due to intensive ploughing, residue burning/removal and mining of soil fertility has resulted in loss of C from SOC pool and hence C based sustainability index in Punjab has declined substantially after Green Revolution. Large acreage of cultivated lands shows fertility fatigue and deficiency of micro-nutrients in many intensively cropped areas. This adds to our challenge of making farming more profitable.

Therefore, for food and livelihood security, agricultural think tanks and United Nations (UN) have prioritized four  major areas i.e. natural resources, climate change, water and food. In this respect,. CA therefore, will be able to quickly address two critical needs that address concerns faced by South Asian agriculture today- farm economics and natural resources.

Several studies conducted across the production systems under varied ecologies of South Asia revealed potential benefits of CA based Resource Conserving Technologies (RCTs) on resource conservation, use efficiency of external inputs, yield enhancement and adaptation to climate change effects. Laser assisted land levelling being practiced over 1.5 m ha in south Asia saves on water by 25-30 %, improve yields by 5-15 % with other associated benefits. Zero tillage in cereal systems have helped in saving in fuel, water, reduce cost of production, improve system productivity and soil health. Residue management in zero till systems (surface retention) helps in improving soil health reducing GHG emission equivalent nearly 13 tonnes/ha and also regulates canopy temperature at grain filling stage to mitigate the terminal heat effects in wheat.

CA practices have been widely adopted in tropics/subtropical and temperate regions of the world for rain-fed and irrigated systems. Acreage of Conservation Agriculture is increasing steadily worldwide to cover about 108 m ha globally (7% of the world arable land area). Thus, CA is an innovation process of developing appropriate CA implements, crop cultivars, etc. for iterative guidance and fine-tuning to modify crop production technologies. Recent estimates revealed that CA based RCTs are being practiced over nearly 3.9 mha of South Asia.

Keeping the emerging challenges before the South Asian farmers, there is a need for a collective movement on Conservation Agriculture in the region. For accelerating the pace of adoption of CA in the region, Human Resource Development in core competence of CA is an immediate action. In this regard, Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project funded by Bill & Millinda Gates Foundation and USAID and managed by International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have organized a 2 week regional training course on "Conservation Agriculture: Nurturing Sustainable Production Systems in South Asia" in collaboration with PAU Ludhiana.  Twenty (20) participants from 4 countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Uzbekistan) from different Federal Govt Institutions, State Agricultural Universities, KVKs, State departments, NGOs, as well as International Institutions are participating in this training. This is the first regional training course on Conservation Agriculture in South Asia and important for developing the capacity of more number of NARS partners in the region. The participants are being exposed to steps in implementation of key elements of Conservation Agriculture and local adjustments in different component technologies. The course in mainly designed for field oriented training where in participants will be learning by doing. This training is being Co-ordinated by Dr M.L. Jat, Senior Cropping Systems Agronomist, CIMMYT & Assistant Delivery Coordinator, CSISA. The participants are accompanied by Dr H.S. Sidhu, CSISA Coordinator, Punjab, Dr Ken Sayre, CA Consultant, CIMMYT.

As for large scale dissemination and adoption of new technologies, Service centres and Service providers plays key role. One of the best examples for such services is Zamindara Farm Solutions, Fazilka acting a model service provider for CA technologies and also the key partner in CSISA. Therefore the participants are visiting ZFS, Fazilka to understand the model and also interact with Mr Vikram Ahuja, the Director of the ZFS to propagate such models in their respective Countries and States.

A new Cell phone based SMS module for disseminating right messages on new technologies as per the need of the farmers developed by CIMMYT will also be demonstrated to the participants in collaboration with ZFS.

 Note- Biggest problem in the Indian System of Agriculture is Lack of Extension Services. Successive governments have failed to ensure Lab to Land activity i.e. technologies and techniques developed by scientists/universities do not reach the farmers. Hence end up in the labs only. Zamindara Farmsolutions is trying to fill up this gap by offering extension services to the farmers through village level meetings, video conferences with the expert's and one to one interaction with the farmers. Recent trainings sessions where 2500 farmers were trained on Straw management (60 village level training sessions), is a successful example of private extension service model.  

चार देशों के शिष्टमंडल ने किया फाजिल्का का दौरा

अमृत सचदेवा, फाजिल्का

कृषि खर्च बढ़ने, कम उत्पादन व ग्लोबल वार्मिग के कारण प्रभावित हो रही खेती को बचाने के लिए मैक्सिकन संस्था सिमट द्वारा चलाए जा रहे सीरियल सिस्टम इनीशिएटिव फार साउथ एशिया का शिष्टमंडल ट्रेनिंग के लिए फाजिल्का आया। इस 27 सदस्यीय शिष्टमंडल में भारत के अलावा बांग्लादेश, नेपाल व उजबेकिस्तान के प्रतिनिधि शामिल थे।

उल्लेखनीय है कि फाजिल्का में कर्ज मुक्त किसान अभियान चलाने वाली निजी संस्था जमींदारा फार्म साल्यूशंस ने कृषि खर्चो को नियंत्रित करने, कम पानी के प्रयोग और पराली के सदुपयोग पर ढेरों उपलब्धियां हासिल कर रखी हैं। पिछले कुछ दिन से पंजाब कृषि यूनिवर्सिटी में ट्रेनिंग के लिए आए उक्त चार देशों के प्रतिनिधियों ने उपलब्धियों से प्रभावित होकर एक दिवसीय फील्ड ट्रेनिंग के लए फाजिल्का का दौरा किया। दल में शामिल भारतीय प्रतिनिधि एवं पंजाब के प्रमुख एग्रीकल्चर विशेषज्ञ डा. एचएस सिद्धू, डा. केन सायरे व सीनियर क्रापिंग सिस्टम एग्रानोमिस्ट डा. एमएल जाट ने बताया कि खेतीबाड़ी के दौरान कम से कम पानी प्रयोग करने, पराली जलाने की जगह उसे कुदरती खाद के रूप में प्रयोग करने, फसल चक्र सही ढंग से अपनाने, कम बीज, कम दवाएं, ज्यादा उत्पादन प्राप्त करने और खेती के खर्च कम करने की जरुरत है। इन सभी मामलों में कर्ज मुक्त अभियान के तहत सैकड़ों किसानों को पराली न जलाने के लिए प्रेरित करने के सफल प्रयोग, छोटी छोटी जरूरतों के लिए कृषि औजार खरीदने की जगह उन्हें किराए पर लेकर काम चलाने, ड्रिप इरीगेशन अपनाकर पानी बचाने की दिशा में जमींदारा फार्म साल्यूशंस ने बेहतर काम किया है। सभी देशों के प्रतिनिधियों ने फाजिल्का आकर टिकाऊ खेती करने के जो गुर सीखे हैं, उसे पूरे साउथ एशिया के किसान अपनाएं, यह प्रयास सिमट द्वारा किया जाएगा। जमींदारा फार्मसाल्यूशंस के निदेशक विक्रम आदित्य आहूजा कर्ज मुक्त अभियान चलाने पर स्टेट अवार्ड हासिल कर चुके हैं, ने बताया कि शिष्टमंडल को खेतीबाड़ी के खर्च कम करने और ज्यादा से ज्यादा समय तक जमीन की उपजाऊ शक्ति बचाए रखने संबंधी हर प्रोजेक्ट पसंद आए। उन्होंने कहा कि उनकी संस्था पहले भी सिमट के साथ मिलकर खेतीबाड़ी विकास के प्रोजेक्टों पर काम कर रही है। प्रतिनिधि मंडल में बांग्लादेश से डा. आकाश अली, नेपाल से डा. रंजीत, उजबेकिस्तान से डा. अर्किन व अन्य प्रतिनिधि शामिल थे।

Abohar-Fazilka rail link likely by March

Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Abohar, November 29
The residents of Abohar and Fazilka regions of Punjab and Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan have been waiting for the past about eight years for the Abohar-Fazilka rail link to become operational.

This important rail link was sanctioned in 2003 by the Ministry of Railways on the consistent demand of the people of these regions, who were also supported by politicians. The foundation stone was laid down by the then Union Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar, in 2004.

However, the rail link, which was supposed to be operational in 2007, is likely to start functioning in March 2011. The physical work has been completed, the paper work is going on and a trial run on this section is likely to start shortly.

The rail link is bound to usher in an era of economic development in the border areas of Ferozepur district, which will have direct access to Sriganganagar and southern and central parts of India after it becomes operational. However, its project cost has gone up very high.

"The original project cost was ` 88 crore when the estimate for this rail link was sanctioned in 2003. Now, the project cost has gone up to ` 209 crore," said Surinder Singh, deputy chief engineer, Railway (Ambala), who is looking after the project.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101130/punjab.htm#2

It is learnt that this rail link will touch about six rural and semi-urban areas where railway stations had been set up apart from linking Abohar and Fazilka, both border towns and important trade centres of Punjab.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Fazilka Ecocabs : Punjab focuses on alternative energy at Delhi trade fair

Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 26
Punjab has showcased its leadership role in alternative energy sources at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Delhi and used solar and hydel energy facades at its pavilion besides even displaying a funky 'green' rickshaw to present a completely different look from the 'saag and makki ki roti' days.

A collage in the façade of the Punjab pavilion depicts how solar and hydro energy are transformed into electricity along with a miniature replica of the Bhakra Nanga dam, India's first hydro electricity generation project.

The exterior also has a visual representation depicting use of solar panels for generating solar energy in remote villages besides a unique innovation - a panel showing water being drawn from a well using a solar powered motor.

Green Cabs, an initiative of the Graduates Association of Fazilka, which has started a 'dial a rickshaw' service in the town, was also showcased with a rickshaw model. The rickshaw is much lighter than the traditional one and has more luggage space besides a safety belt for the commuter as well as a FM radio.

The pavilion inside has an array of products ranging from solar tunnel lighting to solar generated household lams. Resource efficient bricks as well as initiatives of the Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana including use of bio agents to obtain high quality produce free from pesticides residues have also been showcased.

Industries and Commerce minister Manorajan Kalia, who went around the pavilion yesterday evening, said the State continued to make progress on the industrial front despite the fact that special packages given to neighbouring States had slowed down the pace of industrialization. Presiding over the function, which also celebrated Punjab Day, Kalia honoured Puducherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh on the occasion.

State Public Relations Director D S Mangat said students of NIFT showcased their projects while there was brisk sale of handicrafts at the 'bazar' housed in the pavilion with innovations in 'phulkari' embroidery catching everyone's attention. Master craftsmen in various art forms also showed off their wares.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

कोई एक जागे तो सोता है परिवार

लछमण दोस्त, 18/11/10
शहर में असुरक्षित इमारतों का सवाल अभी सरगर्म है ही, इस पर उन सुरक्षित इमारतों पर भी असुरक्षा का साया पड़ गया, जिनमें अचानक दरारें आनी शुरू हो गई। शहर में सप्ताहभर में 40 मकानों में दरार आने के बाद इनमें रहने वाले लोग सांसत में हैं। फाजिल्का के गांधी नगर में न तो इन मकानों के आसपास पानी खड़ा है और न ही किसी घर में कुआं खोदा गया है, फिर भी 40 घरों के लोग भय में रात गुजार रहे हैं। यह सिलसिला सप्ताहभर से चल रहा है।

लोगों ने अचानक पनपे डर के बारे में जो बताया: कृष्णा देवी पत्नी दिवान चंद का मकान दो मंजिला है। पांच दिन पहले जब आधी रात को अचानक मकान में दरारें आने की आवाज आई तो वह घबरा गई। वह उठकर दूसरे कमरे में चली गई। वहां भी दरारें। उनके दो मंजिला मकान में कोई कमरा या छत नहीं बची, जिसमें दरारें न आई हों। संदीप खुराना मकान पर दूसरी मंजिल तैयार करवा रहा है। जब पहली मंजिल में एक तस्वीर उतारने लगा तो दरार नजर आई। 

इसके साथ ही अन्य सभी तीन कमरों में दरारे नजर आई तो उसने मकान बनाना बंद कर दिया। फर्श बैठ गया। दरवाजे बंद नहीं होते। वह बताते हैं कि रातभर परिवार का एक सदस्य जागता है तो दूसरे सो जाते हैं। रात को थोड़ी सी आवाज आए तो सभी की नींद खुल जाती है। 

इस तरह तीन गलियों में हुआ है, जहां सत्या देवी पत्नी कृष्ण लाल, राज रानी पत्नी खरैत लाल, सुरक्षा पत्नी जग सिंह, कृपाल, माया देवी पत्नी 

तिलक राज, प्रमोद कुमार पुत्र हीरा लाल, आशा रानी, हाकम चंद, रेशम लाल वर्मा, गुलाब राम और जगदीश कुमार आदि के मकानों और छतों में दरारें आई हैं।

Monday, November 15, 2010

खुद शुरू की नहर की सफाई

अमृत सचदेवा, फाजिल्का

सिंचाई विभाग की अनदेखी के कारण लाखों रुपये का नुकसान झेलने वाले भारत-पाक सीमा के निकट बसे किसानों ने खुद ही अपनी किस्मत संवारने की पहल की है। नहर की सफाई न होने से हजारों एकड़ जमीन पर फसल बीजने से वंचित रहे किसानों ने चेतन किसान क्लब का गठन कर पैसे इकट्ठे किए और उससे नहर की सफाई शुरू करवा दी है। इस कार्य में जहां मजदूरों की सहायता ली जा रही है वहीं किसान जेसीबी किराए पर लेकर और अपनी ट्रैक्टर ट्रालियां लगाकर नहर की सफाई में जुटे हैं।

उल्लेखनीय है कि टेल पर बसे गांव साबूआना, केरियां, आडियां, छोटी ओडियां, जंडवाला खरता आदि में नरमे व धान की बिजाई के लिए पर्याप्त नहरी पानी न मिल पाने के कारण करीब 50 प्रतिशत रकबे में किसान फसल बीज ही नहीं पाए थे। इसके चलते किसानों को भारी नुकसान उठाना पड़ा है। जब बिजाई के डेढ़-दो महीने बाद फसलों को पानी चाहिए था, तब पूरे पंजाब के दरिया किनारे बसे इलाकों में बाढ़ की स्थिति बनी हुई थी। लेकिन उनके गांवों में फसलों की सिंचाई के लिए पर्याप्त पानी भी नहीं दिया गया। इलाके का जमीनी पानी खराब होने की वजह से वह भी सिंचाई के लिए प्रयोग नहीं हो सका। नतीजतन उक्त गांवों के करीब सात हजार एकड़ रकबे में से आधी से ज्यादा जमीन पर बिजाई ही नहीं हो पाई। यहां तक कि गांव साबूआना के सरपंच शंकर लाल, जंडवाला खरता के सरपंच बलवंत सिंह, ओडियां के संतोख सिंह व बड़ी ओडियां के बूटा सिंह राज्य के सिंचाई मंत्री जनमेजा सिंह सेखों से मिले थे, उसके बाद भी विभाग ने नहर की सफाई का प्रबंध नहीं किया।

अब गेहूं की बिजाई सिर पर है और नहरों की सफाई नहीं की गई। इसलिए गांव साबूआना के किसानों ने आसपास के गांवों के किसानों के साथ मिलकर चेतन किसान क्लब का गठन करके अपने पास से पैसे खर्च कर नहर की सफाई शुरू करवाई है। क्लब के प्रधान दया राम मायल, सचिव रतन लाल, सदस्य प्रेम भदरेचा, रामेश्वर धामू, राम गोपाल आदि ने बताया कि वह गेहूं की बिजाई के बाद सिंचाई के लिए सिंचाई विभाग के भरोसे नहीं रहना चाहते, लेकिन सरकार व विभाग से इतनी मांग जरूर करते हैं कि अगर नहर की सफाई के लिए पैसा मिले तो वह क्लब को दिया जाए ताकि उससे किसानों के लिए और कल्याणकारी योजनाएं चलाई जा सके।

Monday, November 8, 2010

युवाओं ने बताया सफलता का राज-Dainik Bhaskar

Dainik Bhaskar, 7th November 2010
देश-विदेश में फाजिल्का का नाम चमकाने वाले युवक युवतियों को ग्रेजुएट्स वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन फाजिल्का ने एक मंच पर इकट्ठा कर अरोड़वंश भवन में युवा सम्मेलन का आयोजन किया गया। कार्यक्रम में फाजिल्का से बाहर रहकर शहर का नाम रोशन करने वाले युवाओं ने अपनी सफलता का राज बताया । 

कार्यक्रम का आगाज इंदू ज्याणी ने दीप प्रज्ज्वलित करके किया। एसोसिएशन के अध्यक्ष एडवोकेट उमेश कुक्कड़ ने मेहमानों का स्वागत किया। सचिव इंजी. नवदीप असीजा ने फाजिल्का शहर के बारे में जानकारी दी और कहा कि युवा वर्ग की बदौलत ही आज फाजिल्का का नाम देश-विदेश में प्रसिद्ध है। इंजी. संजीव नागपाल ने बताया कि मालवा क्षेत्र की 1.25 लाख हेक्टेयर सेममारी भूमि को बचाने के लिए सहकृषि कारोबार शुरू कि या गया है। इससे क्षेत्र के किसानों को काफी फायदा पहुंच रहा है। कर्ण गिल्होत्रा, जो सबसे छोटी आयु के सरपंच बनकर अपना नाम लिमका बुक ऑफ रिकार्ड में दर्ज करवा चुके हैं, ने बताया कि युवा अपने शहर में भी रोगजार के अवसर पैदा कर सकते हैं। विनोद ज्याणी ने आर्गेनिक फार्म और फार्म टूरिजम के बारे में बताया। परमजीत सिंह पम्मा वैरड़ ने बताया कि युवाओं की बदौलत ही क्षेत्र ने तरक्की की है। मोबाइल एप्लीकेशन डेवलपमेंट सेमसंग इम्प्लाइज ऑफ दि इयर अवार्ड प्राप्त इंजी.नीतिन सेतिया ने शहर की खासियत के बारे में बताया। 

अमरीका की आईटी कंपनी को फाजिल्का में चालू करवाने वाले डा. रजनीश कामरा ने बताया कि आने वाले दो सालों में करीब 500 करोड़ रूपये के प्रोजैक्ट फाजिल्का में लगाये जाएंगे। माइक्रोसॉफ्ट इनोवेटिव टीचर अवार्ड से नवाजे गये विजय गुप्ता ने कहा कि परिश्रम से सब काम हो जाते हैं। फाजिल्का में 20 इंटरनेशनल प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन करवाने वाले पंकज धमीजा ने बताया कि क्षेत्र के खिलाडिय़ों में प्रतिभा की कमी नहीं है, लेकिन उन्हें निखारने में समय लगता है। मंच का संचालन नीतिन सेतिया और सुधीर कांत शर्मा ने किया।

Exchange of ideas at youth conclave

Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Fazilka, November 7DSC_0001.JPG
The first Fazilka Youth Conclave was organised by the Graduate Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF) on Saturday in this town. The gathering consisted of those who are still studying and are yet to decide their goals, the youths who have been serving in different fields after getting education from this town and those who have made a mark in their respective fields. Interestingly, the participation of girls in the conclave was also encouraging.

The aim of the conclave was to bring all the youths together on a common platform to make them interact and share ideas with those who have become achievers in various fields and also to decided future course of action for changing their own life and paving the way towards a better life for future generation.

While Umesh Kukkar, president, GWAF, gave a call that all the members, who participated in the conclave, should become active flag-bearers to carry the legacy of Fazilka, Navdeep Asija, secretary, GWAF, on 'Fazilka-1844, A Love Story' informed about the architectural heritage of the city and how active participation of Fazilka youths can carry forward the legacy of this India's important town. Karan Gilhotra, who has been mentioned in the Limca Book of Records as the youngest sarpanch of the country, stressed upon the role of educated youth in active politics. Paramjit Warar, a social activist, working in the rural areas of the border belt with youth, Sanjeev Nagpal, an entrepreneur, Vikram Ahuja, a leading environmentalist, Vinod Jiyani, a pioneer in rural tourism, Anju Aneja, an entrepreneur, CP Kamboj also presented their views on the occasion. A quiz related to Fazilka was also conducted for the audience.

"The non-political young entrepreneurs have already made an investment of about Rs 500 crore and employment for over 2000 youngsters in this border belt possible. Now, political leaders have to prove their worth," said Rajneesh Kamra, who pioneered IT business in this border town.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Fazilka youth conclave on Nov 6 - The Tribune

Chander Parkash/ Tribune News Service
Fazilka, November 3

The Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF), which has carved a niche for itself by introducing the concept of car-free zone, eco-cab and dial-a-rickshaw facility in this border city, has taken up another task of bringing youths on one platform to provide them with an opportunity to channelise their energy for social transformation with the help of professionals of this town.

To bring the residents of this town and its surrounding areas on a common platform to make them develop ties among themselves, the GWAF is organising the 'Fazilka Youth Conclave' on November 6.

"The mission of the conclave would be social transformation through technological innovation and courage," Navdeep Asija, secretary (administration), GWAF, said, adding that investment to the tune of Rs 500 crores is expected in this belt, which would create employment opportunity for about 2,000 youths of this region. The conclave, which would be a non-political function, would reflect that youths of Fazilka, if they join hands, could do what the ruling political parties have not been able to do for the welfare of society.

"When all these people will put their heads together and will think about developing youth power for the betterment of society and for creating employment opportunity, the complexion of this region will change," claimed Asija.

"Dare to dream and have to courage to follow your dream, do not let small failures of life dent your belief in your dream, have the courage to see things through when the going gets tough. The only one way I know is determination and hard work. Believe in yourself and be consistent and persistent, success has to follow. This will also be one of the messages to the youths at the conclave," said Anoop Thatai, director, Orient Craft, one of the leading export houses of India, that is playing a key role in the organising of conclave.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Fazilka :Sowing on straw: NGO shows how

Hindustan Times, 1 November 2010, Page-3, Chandigarh Edition
Gaurav Sagar Bhaskar 

TEAM OF EXPERTS TRAINS 3,000 FARMERS FROM FEROZEPUR AND MUKTSAR DISTRICTS IN MANAGING STUBBLE

A Fazilka-based nongovernment organisation (NGO) is training 3,000 progressive farmers drawn from 73 villages of Ferozepur and Muktsar districts over management of paddy straw and not to burn in order to avoid environmental pollution.

NGO Jawala Bhai Nathu Ram Charitable Trust, supported by Zamindara Farmsolutions, is making farmers aware of the demerits of burning of paddy straw. The farmers, who have joined the programme, are gradually realising that by not burning the paddy straw in their fields, they would save on huge amount of water because the fields, after days of burning, are essentially required to be watered for hours to make the soil ready for wheat, Vikram Aditya Ahuja of Zamindara Farmsolutions said.

They were arranging field visits for farmers where wheat was sown over paddy straw last year. A team of agronomists, soil scientists and agricultural engineers are informing the farmers about the merits of sowing wheat over the paddy residue, he said.

Ahuja said the participants are also being taken to the farms developed by the scientists in the various parts of the state, to make them more aware about the issue.

Their prime goal is to lower down the production cost and save natural resources, including water and soil, he pointed out. About 25 quintal of residue was there per acre while Punjab had 7 million acres of area under the paddy cultivation. The total crop residue is about 175 million quintals, out of which more than 90% is burnt, increasing the pollution manifold.

Initially, a pilot project was initiated in the four blocks of Fazilka, Jalalabad, Guruharsahai and Mamdot in Ferozepur. As it received a tremendous response, the project was also started in other blocks of the adjoining district of Muktsar, said Ahuja.

The solution would not only save farm costs, but would also help in water and environment conservation, besides saving friendly insects and biodiversity. The NGO is making available machines on rent to small farmers so that they do not burn the straw. Ahuja said if supported by NABARD, they could cover the entire state.
Soil fertility could be retained and water saved, said Ferozepur DC Kamal Kishore Yadav.