Farmers across Punjab now have a dedicated telephone helpline to seek practical, affordable alternatives to stubble burning as the paddy harvesting season intensifies and concerns over crop residue management mount. The helpline, number +91 79737 27514, is operational from 9 am to 5 pm daily and is part of the Sanjha Mittar Farmer Support Centre, an initiative linked to Clean Air Punjab, AirCare Centre, and Saanjh Punjab.

What the Helpline Offers

The service goes beyond answering routine queries. Farmers who call in will receive hands-on guidance on modern crop residue management machinery — including information on availability and effective operation. Callers will also be counselled on the documented harmful effects of stubble burning on soil fertility, human health, and the broader environment, and will be directed toward sustainable alternatives.

The initiative is designed to address one of the most time-sensitive challenges in Punjab agriculture: the narrow window between paddy harvest and wheat sowing, during which farmers often resort to burning for want of timely guidance or accessible machinery.

Built Around Farmer Feedback

Sanam, Director of State Climate Action at Asar, described the platform as a direct response to what farmers themselves had articulated. '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,' she said.

The telephone helpline complements an existing WhatsApp-based digital assistant developed by Clean Air Punjab and Agri2Power following consultations with over 2,000 farmers. Together, the tools aim to ensure farmers receive the right information before they consider setting their fields ablaze.

Villages Recognised for Zero Burning

Separately, growing awareness of the issue was on display at a district-level farmers' camp in Fatehgarh Sahib, where the panchayats of five villages were honoured for ensuring that no stubble burning took place in their localities. The villages — Dhirpur, Wazidpur, Badla, Rurki, and Baronga Jer — were recognised for championing environmentally responsible farming practices.

Why This Matters

Stubble burning in Punjab and neighbouring states is a perennial driver of the severe air pollution that blankets northern India each October and November, pushing air quality indices into hazardous territory across Delhi and the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Despite regulatory pressure and government subsidy schemes for residue management machinery, farmer adoption has historically been patchy, largely because of limited awareness and last-mile access to equipment.

By establishing a direct, real-time communication channel, Sanjha Mittar aims to bridge that information gap and drive behavioural change at the grassroots level before the burning window peaks.