HYDERABAD

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has cautioned farmers against stubble burning, highlighting its adverse impact on soil quality and nutrition. He also asked the department officials to educate farmers on it.

Speaking at the Rythu Nestham programme from Hyderabad on Tuesday, he also explained to the farmers about the possible impact of El Nino, impending problems in urea supply, soil protection and selection of crops based on soil quality. He stated that a section of farmers were resorting to stubble farming as part of preparing their land for the next crop.

However, such an action would severely impact the soil health and harm the crops. He explained that the organic material in the upper layers of soil would be completely destroyed with stubble burning and the natural nutrients in the soil would be affected. As a result, even fertilizers would not give proper results.

He said that action would be taken against officials concerned if such incidents came to the government’s notice. Stating that the Centre too was viewing the matter seriously, Mr. Nageswara Rao said as per the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal, farmers would be penalised if they resorted to stubble burning and explained the impact of the practice in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the environment and weather in New Delhi every year.

On urea supply, he said the Centre’s attitude was highly disappointing by citing the West Asia conflict as the reason impacting the imports of urea. At the same time the Centre was also not increasing the urea production in the country to meet the needs. He also faulted the Centre for not procuring maize, jowar and sunflower to help the farming community.