Constraints faced by farmers of Haryana in adoption of paddy straw management practices

Abstract

Haryana is one of the key contributor states in central pool of food grains with predominance of Rice-Wheat cropping system. Paddy straw burning is a very serious threat to sustainability of agriculture in the state, despite sincere efforts by agricultural development stake holders. So, authors felt to analyze the constraints faced by farmers in adoption of recommended practices for paddy straw management. The study was carried out in Fatehabad and Kaithal districts of Haryana and 15 farmers each from eight villages selected randomly. Total 120 farmers were personally interviewed to ascertain the constraints faced by them. The results highlight that partial burning of residue was most adopted ex-situ residue management practice while, zero tillage as in-situ practice among farmers. Use of combine for paddy harvesting of non-basmati and early maturing varieties result voluminous paddy straw which hampers tillage operations, narrow Paddy-Wheat sowing window were the very serious constraints faced by farmers. Soil incorporation as well bailing enhanced the cost of cultivation being high power and costly machinery-oriented practice for individual farmers and insufficient CHCs promoted by government besides straw removing and transportation of voluminous biomass were reported serious financial constraints by farmers. Similarly, no provision of assured purchase/procurement of residue by government organizations/ research institutions/ local industries from farmers field were serios marketing constraints. They faced management problems like residue composting a time-consuming practice, labour intensive as well high charges at peak season. Low economic domestic use, non-availability of small holder suitable paddy straw management technologies along with insufficient energy/bioenergy, paper, board industries in vicinity of were the major domestic constraints faced by them. The findings provide insight for addressal of these constraints by stakeholders of agriculture through active participation in organization of cluster front line demonstrations of fast decomposing biological technologies at farmers field to prove economic worth by recycling of nutrients, maintenance of soil fertility by in-situ straw management practice, sufficient functional energy, paper, board as well compost or biochar etc. industries forex-situ residue consumption, economic value enhancement may be established at local level or village level for sustainable farming in the region.