Changemaker: This technique used by a Punjab farmer helps stop stubble burning, reduces water requirement

Mulching is a technique to use decaying leaves, stubble or barks to cover the ground or a plant in order to enrich the soil and at the same time, insulate it from high temperatures.

Bhambu claims his kinnow fruits are of high quality and traders (wholesalers and those with fruit waxing plants) make advance bookings, saving him from going and selling his produce at the mandis. (Express photo)

Bhambu, who has his farm in the Ramkot village of Balluana constituency, said, “In 2011, I tried mulching around 50 kinnow trees with paddy straw. I found out that these trees required 50 per cent less water in comparison to those where I did not mulch the soil.”

He added, “I grow kinnow on 20 acre of land and after the first year’s success, from 2012, onwards I started mulching my entire orchard. Eleven years have passed and I still mulch by collecting paddy stubble from 16 acre of land. While I grow paddy on four acre of land, for the stubble, I approach farmers from the adjoining village of Kabul Shah Khubban.”

Explaining the cost of mulching, Bhambu said, “Farmers give it away for free of cost but I have to spend Rs 4,000 for cutting the stubble by hiring labourers, transporting it to my farm and as storage expenses.”

The inspiration

It was in 2011 when Bhambu learnt the method of mulching while watching a television report. “Some farmers of Maharashtra had done mulching at their grapevine with grass in order to reduce the requirement of water since the state was hit by drought.”

Bhambu added, “My area gets water for cultivation from the canal and thus there is limited supply and the ground water in this area is unfit for drinking and irrigation. After seeing the report, I thought of trying mulching and I also realised that the method increased the fertility of the soil and the yield was better.”

Bhambu has 40 acre of land and he grows kinnows on 20 acre. On 5 acre of land, he grows cotton and has dedicated 4 acre to paddy. However, the rest of the land is lying vacant due to a shortage of water for irrigation.

“Sometimes when there is a good rain, I sow guar (cluster bean), which consumes very less water and can survive on ground water alone, on the vacant land. Guar is purchased by the pharmaceutical industry, textile industry and is also used as fodder. I also store paddy stubble in bundles on the vacant land,” Bhambu said.

The process of mulching and the yield

Bhambu starts the process of mulching from March end when he is free from selling kinnow fruits.

“Stubble is spread all around the trees. In April, I carry out drip irrigation on the stubble, first with water and later with a decomposer mixed with water. It is then left like that for a few weeks when it starts to convert into compost. By August, it gets converted into fertile mud and the stubble is not visible anymore,” the farmer said.

He added, “Not just water, I also saved on expenses for buying manure.”

Mulching is a technique to use decaying leaves, stubble or barks to cover the ground or a plant in order to enrich the soil and at the same time, insulate it from high temperatures. (Express photo)

Bhambu claims his kinnow fruits are of high quality and traders (wholesalers and those with fruit waxing plants) make advance bookings, saving him from going and selling his produce at the mandis.

“I never have difficulties in selling my produce. This time the kinnows will be sold at more than Rs 16 a kg for sure,” he said.

Reducing stubble burning

Bhambu’s procurement of stubble from the adjoining village has reduced stubble burning at the Kabul Shah Khubban village, albeit marginally. Sandeep Kumar, a farmer whose paddy stubble Bhambu has been procuring for the last seven years, said, “I am happy that he takes away the stubble as in this way, I am not engaging in stubble burning. By taking away the paddy stubble he also readies my field for wheat harvest.”

Bhambu’s son Ranjit Kumar had got a job as an ETT teacher but later decided to stick to farming along with his father. “We are doing good work and earning good money,” he said.

Bhambu said last year he earned around Rs 24 lakh after excluding all expenses.

“I feel proud that I am helping in conserving the environment by not burning stubble, guiding others not to burn and even by saving water,” Bhambu said.