In an effort to tackle the persistent issue of stubble burning in Punjab, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has entered into an agreement with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), headquartered in Gurugram. The partnership aims to promote a farming technique that allows wheat to be sown at the same time rice is harvested. The approach, developed by PAU researchers, uses a surface seeder machine that enables both harvesting and sowing to be carried out in a single step.
This method has gained attention for its potential to reduce the harmful practice of paddy straw burning, which has long contributed to poor air quality in the region, particularly in the post-harvest season. With this collaboration, both institutions are trying to take the technique from research plots into regular farm fields across the state.
Details of the Agreement
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU. Representing the CII were Sunil Kumar Misra, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Adviser, along with Chandrakant Pradhan and Tahir Hussain, both of whom are leading roles in CII’s projects under its foundation.
According to the agreement, PAU will be responsible for offering technical expertise, conducting field demonstrations, and involving farmers in participatory research. On the other side, CII will focus on expanding outreach through training and awareness programs. Together, the two institutions aim to build a broader understanding of how the technology works and what benefits it may offer to farmers in practical terms.
The MoU outlines a clear division of roles—PAU will provide the scientific backbone of the project, while CII will mobilise its resources and networks to engage with farming communities, agri-entrepreneurs, and policy stakeholders.
How the Technology Works
At the heart of this initiative is a piece of machinery developed at PAU that can be mounted onto existing combine harvesters. This device includes a seeding unit that deposits wheat seeds and basal fertiliser directly into the soil during the rice harvesting process.
The simultaneous operation creates a protective layer of paddy residue that serves several purposes. It helps retain soil moisture, which is crucial during the early stages of wheat growth. It also suppresses weeds and contributes to better soil organic content over time. Importantly, it eliminates the need for farmers to clear the field through burning, a step that is otherwise both time-consuming and environmentally damaging.
This system does not require a complete overhaul of farming equipment. Instead, it makes use of what farmers already have, with an added attachment. PAU scientists have spent years refining the machine and the accompanying sowing technique through field trials and research projects. The university now believes the time is right for wider adoption.
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Addressing the Stubble Burning Challenge
Stubble burning, particularly of paddy straw, has been a major environmental concern in Punjab and neighbouring states for years. Despite policy measures and incentives, the practice remains widespread due to a combination of economic, logistical, and cultural reasons. Many farmers feel they have little choice but to burn the residue to quickly prepare the fields for wheat sowing within the narrow window available between the two crops.
This is where the PAU-CII initiative comes in. By combining the two operations into one, the hope is to ease the time and labour pressures that drive farmers to burn. If the method proves to be both cost-effective and efficient on a larger scale, it could offer a more acceptable alternative.
The machine’s design aims to keep operational costs low and performance consistent. While the up-front cost of the seeder attachment may be a barrier for some farmers, the university and CII plan to demonstrate long-term savings in fuel, labour, and fertiliser use. They also expect that cooperative societies or custom hiring centres might step in to help bridge this affordability gap.
Bridging Research and Practice
This collaboration is not the first between PAU and CII, but it reflects a focused effort to link academic research with real-world application. In the words of Dr Gosal, the MoU is an opportunity to merge the strengths of the university’s scientific community with the organisational and outreach capabilities of the industry body.
Although no specific timeline for implementation was mentioned during the signing, both institutions hinted that pilot programs and demonstrations will begin soon. These activities are expected to take place in districts where stubble burning is most prevalent, using both small and large farms as case studies.
The idea is to move beyond awareness and into hands-on experience. Farmers, agricultural extension officers, and local leaders will be invited to observe the machine in use, ask questions, and discuss practical concerns such as soil conditions, crop yield, and machine maintenance.
The MoU marks a step in a larger process of shifting farming practices in Punjab. While technology offers potential solutions, adoption depends on a number of factors including cost, ease of use, perceived effectiveness, and cultural acceptance. Both PAU and CII are aware that changing deeply ingrained practices will take time, consistent engagement, and reliable support systems.
This latest agreement reflects a strategy of making gradual, evidence-based interventions in the way farming is done, particularly during the crucial kharif-rabi transition period. If successful, the approach could serve as a model for similar interventions in other regions grappling with stubble burning and soil degradation.
In the months ahead, much will depend on how the program is rolled out on the ground, how it is received by the farming community, and what kind of support structures are built around it. While there is no single fix to the problem of stubble burning, the use of a machine that makes sowing and harvesting more efficient may offer part of the answer—one that is rooted in field experience and scientific research, rather than just policy directives.
