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.

1

Picture of the Happy Seeder deployed at four villages at Samrala.

2

Happy Seeder at KVK PAU, Samrala

3

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.

4

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

5

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

6