Chandigarh, Oct 26 Amid concerns over stubble burning during paddy harvesting season, farmers across Punjab now have a dedicated helpline to seek practical solutions for managing crop residue without resorting to burning.
The Sanjha Mittar Farmer Support Centre, an initiative associated with Clean Air Punjab, AirCare Centre and Saanjh Punjab, has launched a telephone helpline, +91 79737 27514, which will operate from 9 am to 5 pm, a statement said here on Monday.
The telephone service complements Sanjha Mittar’s existing WhatsApp-based digital assistant. The objective is to ensure that farmers receive the right information and support before they consider setting their fields on fire.
The helpline aims to address one of the biggest challenges confronting farmers during the harvesting season — finding timely and affordable alternatives to burning paddy straw.
The statement said the initiative goes beyond simply answering farmers’ queries. Through direct interaction, farmers will be guided about modern crop residue management machinery, its availability and effective use.
They will also be made aware of the harmful effects of stubble burning on soil fertility, human health and the environment while being encouraged to adopt sustainable alternatives.
According to the statement, Clean Air Punjab is a citizen-led initiative supported and driven in partnership with Asar Social Impact Advisors to combat air pollution and promote sustainable climate action across Punjab.
Asar Social Impact Advisors is an Indian environmental and climate advisory organisation that builds sub-national climate action networks.
Founded in 2016 and based in Bengaluru, Asar acts as a strategic bridge between grassroots communities, scientists, policymakers and local municipal corporations to implement localised climate resilience strategies.
Clean Air Punjab is a collaborative, hub-based platform bringing together organisations, researchers, independent thinkers and concerned citizens, working across agriculture, urban air pollution, mobility, solid waste, construction and demolition (C&D) waste, heat and public health. It anchors a wider ecosystem that includes Air Care Centre, a women-led institution located in Amritsar, focused on climate solutions, youth leadership and district-level governance, and Saanjh Punjab, a farmer-led collective advancing climate-resilient agriculture and commons protection.
These partners operate autonomously within a shared framework, allowing decisions to remain grounded in local realities while benefiting from collective alignment.
Sanam, director of State Climate Action at Asar, said, “Sanjha Mittar is built entirely around what farmers told us during our listening exercises. When technology reflects real farmer preferences, the impact becomes immediate and meaningful. This platform brings timely, science-based support directly to their phones, strengthening both decision-making and climate resilience across Punjab.”
Highlighting growing awareness about the need to eliminate stubble burning, the panchayats of five villages in Fatehgarh Sahib district were earlier honoured at a district-level farmers’ camp for ensuring that no stubble burning took place in their respective villages.
The five villages — Dhirpur, Wazidpur, Badla, Rurki and Baronga Jer — were recognised for their efforts towards promoting environmentally responsible farming practices.
According to the statement, Palwinder Singh, a farmer from Baronga village in Amloh, Fatehgarh Sahib, said, “I stopped burning paddy stubble way back in 2008. I started with a Happy Seeder and later used a Super Seeder (machine) as well.
“This year, our entire village had zero burning. Most of us have shifted to short-duration varieties like PR-126, which gives us enough time to manage the residue properly.”
He said there has not been a single case of stubble burning in their village this season.
“When I gave up this harmful practice, I saw the soil health improve and my input cost came down,” he added.
The statement said the initiative assumes significance as farmers often face a narrow window between harvesting paddy and sowing wheat. Lack of timely guidance and access to appropriate machinery can make crop residue management particularly challenging.
By establishing direct communication with farmers, Sanjha Mittar hopes to bridge this information gap, address concerns and encourage behavioural change at the grassroots level.
(PTI News)
