Punjab Records 4,459 Farm Fire Incidents Amidst Tight Paddy Harvesting Season

Punjab has recorded 4,459 farm-fire incidents during the current paddy harvesting season. Farmers face a critical 20-to-25-day window to clear straw and sow wheat, as delays significantly impact crop yields and household income. Small and marginal farmers struggle with the high costs of manual labor and specialized machinery like <b>Happy Seeders</b> and <b>Super Seeders</b>. Despite government subsidies and Custom Hiring Centres, expenses for diesel, equipment maintenance, and powerful tractors remain prohibitive for many. Official data indicates that approximately 11.4 million tonnes of straw are managed through in-situ methods, while 7.85 million tonnes are diverted for industrial biomass use.