Bio-decomposer a better solution, say farmers

As trust builds, many who opted for Delhi Govt.’s spraying initiative last year sign up again

The Delhi Government’s initiative of spraying bio-decomposer solution in agricultural fields to help decompose stubble into manure has brought relief to several farmers in the city.

Some farmers in whose fields the solution was sprayed last year told The Hindu that the move helped them save money as the Government was doing it for free. This year, the authorities have so far sprayed the solution in over 500 acres of fields in the city, said officials. “We plan to continue the spraying till November 15. Last year, the Government had sprayed the solution in about 1,935 acres,” said an official.

The time taken in the administrative procedure, however, is bothering a farmers’ association. “The Government says it will come to the villages and register the name of those who want the solution to be sprayed in their fields. But in reality, the farmers have to go to the BDO (Block Development Office) for registration. The government takes about a week’s time after the harvest to spray the solution and this is creating difficulties. If this process gets late, the sowing also gets delayed and the farmers suffer. The Government has to fix the administrative procedure for spraying the solution,” said Virender Dagar, Delhi State chief, Bharatiya Kisan Union.