The hi-tech machines provided to the farmers on subsidy under In-Situ management for crop residue program of the Punjab Government has proved a boon for the potato growers.The equipment has reduced their cultivation cost as the mixing of straws into the field has increased the soil fertility and improved the yield of the crop.As per the agriculture and farmers’ welfare department, the area of the potato crop is 22500 hectare in Jalandhar and more than 480 farmers sow the various varieties of the crop here.Divulging the information, Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Nazar Singh revealed that the potato growers have to sow the crop immediately after paddy harvesting and they need fine seedbed for the cultivation of potato crop.He said that the department was already offering Chhoper Shredder, Mulcher, Rotavator and RMB plough under crop residue program to the farmers and made the peasantry aware of the benefits of the machines in the camps. Dr Singh said that after using the combines fitted with super SMS, the potato farmers used mulcher to mix paddy straws in the fields, then used reversible plough for the preparation of fine seedbed following which the farmers sown the seeds.
Later, they found key improvements in soil health including increased water holding capacity and use of DAP fertilizers reduced drastically and got a high yield.He said that potato farmers associated with Jagjeet Agriculture Welfare Society and Amar Kisan Sewa Society have witnessed revolutionary results with the use of hi-tech machines provided to them under In-Situ management for crop residue program.Dr Singh told that the cost of Chopper Shredder is about Rs 2.5 lakh and mulcher is Rs 1.75 lakh and 50-per cent subsidy is being offered to individual farmers and 80-per cent subsidy to farmers’ groups.He exhorted the other farmers to not to burn the stubble as this kills several nutrients and produces hazardous gases which cause serious health issues. He asked the paddy farmers to use these machines to sow the straws in the fields for improving the soil health.CAO added that the department is already running an intensive campaign to make the farmers aware of the harmful effects of the burning of paddy straw on the environment and human health and the environment.