Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made a significant visit to Ransih Kalan village in Punjab's Moga district on Thursday, personally commending local farmers for their remarkable achievement of maintaining zero stubble burning for six consecutive years. The minister engaged in an exclusive conversation with TOI's Neel Kamal, addressing critical agricultural issues facing the nation.
Farmers' Stubble Management Earns National Recognition
Ransih Kalan village, located in Nihal Singh Wala tehsil of Moga district, has emerged as a model for sustainable agricultural practices by completely avoiding crop residue burning since 2019. Minister Chouhan specifically highlighted this achievement during his interaction with farmers, noting that their consistent efforts demonstrate how environmental challenges can be effectively addressed through community participation and awareness.
The village's success story comes at a crucial time when northern Indian states, particularly Punjab and Haryana, face severe air quality issues due to widespread stubble burning during the harvest season. Chouhan emphasized that such exemplary practices deserve national recognition and replication across other agricultural regions.
Key Policy Discussions and Government Stance
During the extensive dialogue, Minister Chouhan addressed several pressing concerns affecting the agricultural sector. On the sensitive topic of free-trade agreements, he assured that the central government remains committed to protecting the interests of agriculture, dairy, and poultry sectors. "Even if trade agreements are signed with other countries, officials involved in negotiations will prioritize farmers' interests," Chouhan stated unequivocally.
Regarding the much-discussed doubling of farmers' income - a promise made by BJP in 2017 with a 2022 deadline - the minister presented a positive assessment. "While many farmers have seen their incomes rise even threefold, the average farmer's income has doubled over these years," he claimed. Chouhan acknowledged that natural calamities in certain regions might temporarily affect earnings but maintained the overall progress has been substantial.
MSP Talks and Punjab's Stubble Management Model
The minister addressed the stalled Minimum Support Price (MSP) discussions with farmer groups in Punjab, revealing that talks were suspended after farmers presented certain conditions, including the exclusion of state government representatives from negotiations. "Such conditions should not be laid, and there should be no room for trust deficit," Chouhan remarked, while affirming the government's readiness to resume discussions without any preconditions.
Interestingly, Chouhan pointed to the contrasting situation between Punjab and Madhya Pradesh regarding stubble burning. While Punjab has made significant progress in controlling farm fires, Madhya Pradesh has witnessed an increase in recent years. The minister attributed this to Madhya Pradesh's shift toward large-scale paddy cultivation over the past 4-5 years and expressed intentions to replicate Punjab's successful model in other states.
On the question of financial assistance for crop residue management, Chouhan presented a different perspective, describing stubble as a 'blessing' rather than waste. "It is not merely a matter of financial assistance. 'Prali' (stubble) is a 'vardan' (a blessing). What is needed more than a cash incentive is awareness, because stubble is beneficial for farmers," he explained, suggesting that farmers can generate additional income by finding optimal uses for crop residue.
The minister's visit and detailed responses signal the government's focused approach toward addressing agricultural challenges while promoting sustainable practices that balance economic needs with environmental concerns.
