As Delhi and its neighbouring areas continue to be severely hit by pollution due to stubble burning in neighbouring States, eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan suggested that the Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments could set up 'Rice BioParks', where farmers could convert stubble into income and employment.
In a series of tweets on Monday, Mr. Swaminathan noted that the air pollution in Delhi has become a matter of public health concern nationally and internationally and farmers were “being blamed” by many for burning stubble and thereby causing atmospheric pollution.
“In South India, stubble is not burnt as there’s economic value as animal feed. For years I pointed out many economic uses of rice straw. We should adopt a do-ecology approach with farmers to convert rice stubble into income rather than making them agents of eco-disaster,” the noted scientist suggested.
Recently, the Chennai-based M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) established a Rice BioPark at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, funded by the Union Ministry of External Affairs, which was inaugurated by the President of India, he recalled.
The Rice Biopark showed how stubble can be utilized to make products including paper, cardboard and animal feed.
“I suggest that the Delhi, Haryana and UP govts put up Rice BioParks where farmers can convert stubble into income and employment,” he said and further urged: “We should stop blaming farmers since it will take us nowhere. Instead we should propose methods which are economically & ecologically desirable.”
Published - November 04, 2019 03:29 pm IST
