Chandigarh, Oct 26 — With the paddy harvesting season underway and concerns over stubble burning growing, farmers across Punjab now have a dedicated helpline to seek practical solutions for managing crop residue without resorting to burning.
The Sanjha Mittar Farmer Support Centre, an initiative associated with Clean Air Punjab, AirCare Centre and Saanjh Punjab, has launched a telephone helpline, +91 79737 27514, which will operate from 9 am to 5 pm.
The helpline aims to address one of the biggest challenges confronting farmers during the harvesting season -- finding timely and affordable alternatives to burning paddy straw.
Importantly, the initiative goes beyond simply answering farmers' queries. Through direct interaction, farmers will be guided on modern crop residue management machinery, its availability and effective use.
They will also be made aware of the harmful effects of stubble burning on soil fertility, human health and the environment, while being encouraged to adopt sustainable alternatives.
Sanam, Director of State Climate Action at Asar, said, “Sanjha Mittar is built entirely around what farmers told us during our listening exercises. When technology reflects real farmer preferences, the impact becomes immediate and meaningful. This platform brings timely, science-based support directly to their phones, strengthening both decision-making and climate resilience across Punjab.”
Meanwhile, highlighting growing awareness about the need to eliminate stubble burning, the panchayats of five villages in Fatehgarh Sahib district were honoured at a district-level farmers' camp for ensuring that no stubble burning took place in their respective villages.
The five villages -- Dhirpur, Wazidpur, Badla, Rurki and Baronga Jer -- were recognised for their efforts towards promoting environmentally responsible farming practices.
The initiative assumes significance as farmers often face a narrow window between harvesting paddy and sowing wheat. Lack of timely guidance and access to appropriate machinery can make crop residue management particularly challenging.
By establishing direct communication with farmers, Sanjha Mittar hopes to bridge this information gap, address concerns and encourage behavioural change at the grassroots.
The telephone service complements Sanjha Mittar's existing WhatsApp-based digital assistant, developed by Clean Air Punjab and Agri2Power following consultations involving over 2,000 farmers. The objective is to ensure farmers receive the right information and support before they consider setting their fields on fire.