Farmers give thumbs up, but flooded fields a spoiler

New Delhi: As one approaches the Ghummanhera bus depot in southwest Delhi, large boards explaining the use of the bio-decomposer solution to be sprayed by Delhi government across farmlands for free to prevent stubble burning are hard to miss. Farmers from nearby villages of Rawta, Daurala, Jhuljhuli were some of the beneficiaries last year and the news had spread by word of mouth, prompting more cultivators deciding to give it a try this year.

Delhi government data shows while 324 farmers applied to get the solution sprayed across their farms last year, 844 farmers have already registered this year.

Dharmender Singh, a 32-year-old farmer from Rawta who grows both wheat and rice, said while Delhi farmers clearly understood this to be a better option over stubble burning, they had also learnt how to use stubble over the years. “Prior to this, we would use the stubble as fodder for our cattle. If the government approaches us, we will get it sprayed, too; but Delhi farmers have been conscious in not burning stubble,” Singh said, adding the village had other issues to deal with, including the high groundwater table.

“If the government can assist farmers with a free spray, I hope they can help us in tackling the water levels, too, which ends up in our farms due to the nearby Najafgarh lake,” he said.

Dharamvir, a 38-year-old farmer from Jhuljhuli who was among the beneficiaries last year, said the solution had been welcomed. But he, too, pointed out, “This year, with rains, our paddy has become submerged under two feet of water, which kills the crop. I have once again registered with the government for the spray, but it will reap no benefit if my crop does not survive.”

While the solution was earlier sprayed in basmati fields, the government will also cover non-basmati fields that use harvesters, officials said.

Ramnath Singh, a 60-year-old from Jhuljhuli, has a three-acre farm to manage and, like Dharamvir, is trying to find solutions to the monsoon problem. He has registered for the bio-decomposer spray. “Farmers are appreciating the move. This will benefit us in the long run, but we want Delhi government to find solutions to our waterlogging problem,” he said.

Others are, meanwhile, still sceptical about the impact the solution may have, stating a majority of Delhi’s farmers have small land holdings.

“Most farmers have been using the stubble for fodder and with little area, it does not take much time to get it out. This can be beneficial for large land holdings, but I will have to see with my own eyes to believe that it is both time saving and enriches the soil,” said Naveen Dagar, a 42-year-old from Malikpur in Najafgarh.