Faisalabad: Director Agriculture (Extension) Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood has stepped up field monitoring in Jaranwala and inspected three Quick Response Centers near the motorway besides warning the farmers that burning crop residues could result in Rs15,000 per acre fine, registration of a case and imprisonment.
During visit to the three Quick Response Centers, the director agriculture reviewed arrangements and ongoing activities aimed at controlling smog and responding promptly to incidents that could aggravate air pollution.
All three centers were found operational while water bowsers were also available at the sites to respond to emergency situations, including firefighting requirements.
Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood met field staff and members of the Smog Control Committee and reviewed measures being taken to prevent the burning of crop residues and control smog in agricultural areas.
He directed the field staff and committee members to intensify awareness among farmers and ensure effective implementation of measures aimed at preventing crop-residue burning.
The director agriculture warned the farmers against burning crop residues, stressing that the practice was a legal offence and could expose violators to a fine of Rs15,000 per acre, registration of a criminal case and imprisonment.
He urged the farmers to adopt environment-friendly methods for managing agricultural residues instead of setting them on fire. He advised them to use baler machines to collect and manage crop residues and incorporate the remaining material into the soil. He explained that burning crop residues not only contributed to smog and air pollution but also adversely affected the organic matter and fertility of agricultural land.
Continued burning could ultimately reduce soil productivity and adversely affect crop yields, he added.
He also urged the farmers to adopt modern wheat-sowing practices and use super seeders, saying the technology could help improve per-acre production while eliminating the need to burn crop residues.
Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood emphasized that farmers could simultaneously protect their soil, improve agricultural productivity and contribute to efforts aimed at keeping the environment safe from smog and pollution by adopting modern residue-management techniques.
He directed the relevant field staff to remain vigilant and continue monitoring agricultural areas particularly during the wheat-sowing season to discourage practices contributing to deteriorating air quality.