Ludhiana, September 11: Rice straw burning is one of the major causes of pollution in the state. And while Punjab is still grappling to find a solution to this menace, the Dyeing Factories’ Association has come up with a project called ‘Agro Fuel Bank’.

Brahm Dutt Sharda, president of the association, says, “Rice straw is used in our boilers as fuel, and our industry consumes hundreds of trolley and truckloads of agri fuel. At times we source it from outside Punjab, as we get to pick up a very small part of the agro fuel which comes to the mandis. Thus, while the state is looking for ways to generate power from rice straw, dyeing industry can be considered as its second major consumer.”

Elaborating the proposal which they have forwarded to the state government, Sharda says, “We can create small agro fuel banks at a number of places across the state, like Sirhind, Kartarpur, Jagraon, Patiala, Samrala, Jandiala, Sangrur, Nawanshahr, Tarn Taran and Malerkotla. Then, we can motivate farmer to cut the straw, for which a seeder, which costs about Rs 75,000, is required. Here, we propose that an agency, like Markfed, steps in. It can purchase seeders, choppers, cutter and other required machinery. The major task of this agency will be collection the straw and processing it. Then, it can be sold to dyeing industry or the power-generating sector.”

He adds, “A farmer can be paid a fixed minimum amount per tonne and he can also be a partner in equity. In short, a farmer can help set up this subsidiary project of Markfed by investing his first time value of straw. His share value in the project can be enhanced every year. The basic idea is that this agro fuel is being wasted in the state year after year. We need to set up a commercial enterprise whereby farmers, Markfed and even industrialists can be benefited,” adds Sharda.

Subhash Malhotra, owner of Beas Dyeing Works, says, “We need the paddy straw and the farmers of Punjab have it in abundance. A fuel bank will be beneficial for both the industrialists and farmers.”

Major Singh, a farmer from Khanna, says, “We know the ill effects of burning straw, but we cannot do much as we do not have an alternative. If a fuel bank comes up, I am sure farmers will stop this practice.”

B S Sidhu, Director, Agriculture, says, “This idea is not practical. The farmer will stop burning the straw if they get a tidy sum for it. No doubt a state agency is very important to oversee that the interests of the farmers are safe, but then we will have to work out which agency can do this best.”