With Oncoming Diwali Season, Punjab Farmers Get Help For Stubble Management

CHANDIGARH-With paddy harvesting underway and concerns over stubble burning growing, farmers across Punjab can now call a dedicated helpline for practical guidance on managing crop residue without burning it.

The Sanjha Mittar Farmer Support Centre has launched a telephone helpline dedicated for this.

The helpline will help farmers find timely and affordable alternatives to burning paddy straw. Through direct interaction, they will receive guidance on modern crop residue management machinery, including its availability and effective use. They will also be informed about the harmful effects of stubble burning on soil fertility, human health and the environment, and encouraged to adopt sustainable alternatives.

Sanam, director of State Climate Action at Asar, said the initiative was developed in response to farmers’ concerns and preferences.

“Sanjha Mittar is built entirely around what farmers told us during our listening exercises. When technology reflects real farmer preferences, the impact becomes immediate and meaningful. This platform brings timely, science-based support directly to their phones, strengthening both decision-making and climate resilience across Punjab,” Sanam said.

The initiative comes as farmers face a narrow window between harvesting paddy and sowing wheat. Limited time, a lack of timely guidance and difficulties accessing suitable machinery can make crop residue management particularly challenging.

Meanwhile, the panchayats of five villages in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district were honored at a district-level farmers’ camp for ensuring that no stubble burning took place in their respective villages. (IANS)