DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, Mr. Shyam Singh Rana on Sunday lauded sustainable farming method that uses paddy residue as a natural fertilizer, highlighting its potential to enhance soil fertility while lowering fertilizer expenses for farmers. During a visit to the farm of Pradeep Kamboj, a progressive farmer in Dhanupura village, Yamunanagar district, Mr. Rana emphasized the importance of eco-friendly techniques in modern agriculture.

On his visit, the Minister, Mr. Rana observed Kamboj's method of incorporating paddy residue into the soil to cultivate wheat without the need for Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer. Kamboj shared that he has significantly reduced his use of fertilizers, including Urea, over the past few years, finding that the paddy residue sufficiently enriches the soil for good yields without DAP. "I am now able to achieve a good harvest without relying on costly chemical fertilizers," Kamboj explained, citing cost savings and improved soil health.

Impressed by the success of this method, Mr. Rana directed officials from the Agriculture Department to promote similar sustainable practices across the state. "Farmers like Pradeep are lighting the way for others. His approach aligns with Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, as it promotes self-reliance in farming and contributes to environmental sustainability," said the Minister. He also urged officials to revisit Kamboj's farm during harvest to measure the yield obtained without DAP, stressing the need for data-backed advocacy of eco-friendly farming techniques.

During the visit, Deputy Director of Agriculture for Yamunanagar, Mr. Aditya Dabas, highlighted that adopting paddy residue as a soil enhancer could significantly reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. "In the initial years, farmers can cut their DAP usage by 50 percent, and eventually, further reductions are possible as soil organic carbon increases due to the crop residue," Dabas explained.

(editor@dailyworld.in)