Union Agriculture Minister Praises Punjab Village for Pioneering Stubble Management Model
Punjab, November 27: Union Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited Punjab on a one-day tour today, highlighting the state’s significant progress in sustainable farming. During an interaction with farmers in Ransih Kalan village, Moga, the Minister commended the community for successfully eliminating stubble burning for the past six years and adopting effective residue management practices.
Speaking to the media before the programme, Shri Chouhan noted that stubble burning had long been a matter of national concern due to its environmental impact. He emphasised that while burning clears fields quickly, it destroys beneficial organisms and severely contributes to air pollution. He praised Punjab for reducing stubble burning incidents by 83 per cent this year—from around 83,000 cases earlier to nearly 5,000.
Addressing farmers, the Minister said Ransih Kalan has emerged as a model for the entire country. “Farmers often ask what alternative they have if they do not burn stubble. This village has shown the way by mixing stubble back into the soil and adopting direct seeding,” he said. He added that the village has transformed stubble from a burden into a resource, improving soil health and reducing costs.
Shri Chouhan explained that unlike fields where stubble is burnt and water must be reapplied before sowing, Ransih Kalan farmers use the Happy Seeder to retain stubble in the soil and begin direct seeding without irrigation. This practice saves water and diesel, enhances soil organic carbon, reduces weed growth, and lowers fertiliser requirements. Farmers in the village reported reduced use of DAP and urea, proving clear economic benefits. Field inspections conducted by the Minister showed that crop yield remains consistent at 20–22 quintals per acre.
He added that this method has also proven effective for potato and mustard cultivation, improving tuber size, reducing fertiliser needs, and increasing productivity. Farmers shared examples of how nutrients from stubble, such as potash and zinc, naturally enrich their soil.
The Minister described Ransih Kalan as a “school of innovation,” praising its efforts not only in stubble management but also in rainwater harvesting, waste-plastic recycling, development of parks and libraries, and a strong anti-drug campaign. He also noted the village’s underground drainage system, which has helped prevent dengue and malaria outbreaks. He congratulated Sarpanch Preet Inderpal Singh Mintu for leading these community initiatives.
Shri Chouhan said he intends to share this model with farmers across India to reduce pollution and improve soil productivity. He announced plans for a national brainstorming session with selected farmers on December 22–23 to draft a five-year agricultural development roadmap under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The Minister also spoke about the government’s efforts to support small farmers through mechanisation. He directed ICAR to strengthen Custom Hiring Centres so farmers can access machinery without needing to purchase it individually. He reiterated the government’s commitment to procurement at MSP, including pulses under the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, and assured farmers of continued support.
Concluding his visit, Shri Chouhan said Punjab remains a centre of agricultural excellence and that the Union Government will make every effort to further strengthen the state’s development.
