Exploring the Farmer`s Attitude towards Paddy Straw Burning in Punjab

Abstract

The present paper aimed to explore the farmer`s attitude towards paddy straw burning in Punjab and outline the important problems arises on paddy straw management. The study was conducted in Moga district of Punjab. The study revealed that most of the respondents were literate and having farming experience of more than 10 years. Three-fourth of the total respondents surveyed were having the marginal and small land holdings with annual income up to 2 lakhs which confine their approach from the costintensive farm machinery. The existing trend of paddy straw management includes the animal feed, in situ burning and fuel purposes, whereas, most of the farmers aware regarding its use in mushroom production, mulching material, thatching, it situ incorporation and use of happy seeder/zero tillage. The main problems accounted in paddy straw management were cost and labour intensive, no government support and less palatable by dairy cattle as compared to wheat straw.