Stakeholders’ Consultation on Crop Residue Management Organized in Ludhiana

14 November 2025, Ludhiana

A Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting on Crop Residue Management was organized today by ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana, in collaboration with Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) and Punjab Agricultural University. The programme brought together leading institutions, experts, and practitioners to deliberate on strengthened strategies for sustainable crop residue management and the prevention of stubble burning.

Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), graced the event as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, attended as the Guest of Honour.

The consultation witnessed participation from eminent personalities including Dr. J. P. S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU; Dr. Parvender Sheoran, Director, ICAR-ATARI; and senior scientists Dr. S. Bhullar, Dr. R. S. Grewal, and Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana.

In his address, Dr. Jat emphasized the need for a systematic analysis of the success and challenges faced by Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) to enhance machinery utilization, service delivery mechanisms, and long-term financial sustainability. He underscored the importance of developing Crop Residue Learning Landscapes, engaging farmers, KVKs, SAUs, CHCs, industry stakeholders, and local institutions to demonstrate best practices and co-create locally relevant solutions.

Dr. Rajbir Singh acknowledged the dedicated efforts of farmers and KVKs in adopting scientific residue management practices, which have contributed significantly to reducing stubble burning in the region. He noted that these initiatives have resulted in notable improvements in air quality over the past few years, reflecting the impact of coordinated extension and community engagement.

Earlier, Dr. Parvender Sheoran presented an overview of the current progress in paddy harvesting and residue management. He highlighted that continuous awareness campaigns, wider access to machinery, and synchronized field operations have collectively contributed to a year-on-year decline in stubble burning incidents.

On this occasion, a publication titled “फसल अवशेष प्रबंधन पर चौपाल चर्चा एवं किसान–वैज्ञानिक संवाद” was released, along with a video “पराली प्रबंधन: स्वच्छ हवा, समृद्ध खेत,” featuring a special message from the Union Minister of Agriculture.

During the event, the Director General, ICAR, also inaugurated the newly constructed International Guest House at GADVASU, enhancing the institution’s infrastructure for collaborating scientists and visiting experts.

The consultation concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen collaborative efforts toward achieving the shared goal of zero stubble burning in the region.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana)