Stakeholders’ Consultation on Crop Residue Management Organized at Ludhiana
A stakeholders' consultation meeting on Crop Residue Management (CRM) was organized by ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana, in collaboration with GADVASU and PAU on 14 November 2025. The event brought together leading institutions and experts to deliberate on strengthened strategies for sustainable residue management and the prevention of stubble burning.
Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & DG, ICAR, graced the programme as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Rajbir Singh, DDG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, attended as the Guest of Honour. The programme saw participation from Dr. J. P. S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU; Dr. Parvender Sheoran, Director, ICAR-ATARI; Dr. S. Bhullar, Dr. R. S. Grewal, and Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR-CIPHET.
In his address, Dr. Jat emphasized the need to systematically analyse the success and failure factors of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) to enhance machine utilization, service delivery, and financial sustainability. He further highlighted the importance of developing Crop Residue Learning Landscapes, engaging farmers, KVKs, SAUs, CHCs, industry partners, and local institutions to demonstrate best practices and co-create solutions.
Dr. Rajbir Singh commended the farmers and KVKs for their dedicated efforts in adopting scientific residue management and significantly reducing stubble burning. He noted that these initiatives have led to a marked improvement in air quality in recent years, reflecting the positive impact of coordinated extension efforts.
Earlier, Dr. Parvender Sheoran presented an overview of the current status of paddy harvesting and residue management in the region. He highlighted that sustained awareness, improved machinery access, and coordinated field efforts have contributed to this year-on-year decline in burning cases.
On this occasion, a publication titled “फसल अवशेष प्रबंधन पर चौपाल चर्चा एवं किसान–वैज्ञानिक संवाद” was released. A video titled “पराली प्रबंधन: स्वच्छ हवा, समृद्ध खेत” (https://youtu.be/TfwTR1F562Y) featuring a special message from the Union Minister of Agriculture, was also launched.
The DG, ICAR, inaugurated the newly constructed International Guest House in GADVASU, adding to the institutional infrastructure for visiting experts and collaborators. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to collaborative action toward achieving zero stubble burning.
