Punjab Farmers Warned Against Burning Rice Stubble As Fines, Arrests Enforced

The Agriculture Extension Department said burning crop residues worsens smog and damages soil, while advising farmers to use super seeders and other methods to prepare fields for wheat cultivation. FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Nov, 2026) Rice growers have been urged to refrain from burning crop residues after harvesting, as the practice contributes to smog and air pollution while adversely affecting soil fertility and agricultural productivity. A spokesman for the Agriculture (Extension) Department on Sunday advised farmers to strictly follow the department's guidelines for the safe and environment-friendly disposal of rice crop residues to help control smog. He said burning rice stubble destroyed organic matter in the upper layer of the soil, thereby reducing its fertility and affecting long-term agricultural productivity. The spokesman said that under the Chief Minister Punjab's Smog Control Program,the provincial government had provided 10,000 super seeders to farmers this year at a 60 percent subsidy, involving an expenditure of Rs.5.5 billion. He said the initiative aimed to promote modern agricultural machinery to convert crop residues into useful material instead of burning them in fields. He added that farmers could improve soil fertility by incorporating post-harvest stubble into the soil. Those harvesting crops manually could use rotavators while farmers using harvesting machines could employ disc harrows to mix the remaining crop residues into the land. The spokesman further advised farmers to plough their fields deeply, broadcast half a bag of urea per acre and irrigate the land to facilitate the decomposition of crop residues. These measures would help improve soil fertility and enhance its productive capacity,he added. He also urged rice growers to give preference to super seeders for wheat cultivation after the rice harvest, saying the machinery provided an effective solution for managing crop residues while preparing fields for the next crop. He made it clear that burning rice stubble and straw was a punishable offense under the Punjab government's directives. Legal action,including fines and arrests was being taken against those violating the restrictions,he added. The spokesman urged farmers to adopt environment-friendly crop residue management practices and cooperate with the government in controlling smog,protecting soil health and promoting sustainable agricultural production.