[ad_1]
Chandigarh: The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has come up with a low-cost solution to stop farmers from putting paddy stubble on fire, resulting not only in air pollution but also associated health risks aggravating Covid-19 cases. According to IARI, ‘pusa decomposer capsule’ will aid in fast decomposition of crop residue.
Y V Singh, principal scientist of the IARI at Delhi, told TOI that their institute’s microbiology division has developed the low-cost technology and the farmers can purchase a kit of four pusa decomposer capsules for just Rs 20 — which is enough for one hectare land.
“We have converted this technology into capsules last year. Initially, it was developed in liquid form but there was a problem in transportation,” he said. Though many farmers are approaching IARI individually to purchase capsules, state governments also need to take the initiative and adopt this technology at large scale, he added. The IARI team has demonstrated this technique in Delhi, Haryana and some parts of Punjab.
The decomposition process to convert crop residue into compost takes not more than 20 days by using this technology, he said. Usually, it would take at least 45 days.
He said the problem of paddy stubble burning started after farmers faced labour shortage and became dependent on combine harvesters. Stubble burning is not only causing pollution but at the same time it causes loss of soil nutrients and beneficial microbial enzymes further resulting in soil fertility degradation, he added.
Y V Singh, principal scientist of the IARI at Delhi, told TOI that their institute’s microbiology division has developed the low-cost technology and the farmers can purchase a kit of four pusa decomposer capsules for just Rs 20 — which is enough for one hectare land.
“We have converted this technology into capsules last year. Initially, it was developed in liquid form but there was a problem in transportation,” he said. Though many farmers are approaching IARI individually to purchase capsules, state governments also need to take the initiative and adopt this technology at large scale, he added. The IARI team has demonstrated this technique in Delhi, Haryana and some parts of Punjab.
The decomposition process to convert crop residue into compost takes not more than 20 days by using this technology, he said. Usually, it would take at least 45 days.
He said the problem of paddy stubble burning started after farmers faced labour shortage and became dependent on combine harvesters. Stubble burning is not only causing pollution but at the same time it causes loss of soil nutrients and beneficial microbial enzymes further resulting in soil fertility degradation, he added.
[ad_2]
Source link