Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
In a meeting chaired by Udham Singh Nagar’s District Magistrate Udayraj Singh and Uttarakhand Farmers Commission (UFC) Vice President Rajpal Singh, around 300 farmers from the district expressed concern over the depleting groundwater levels in the Terai region. The farmers resolved to discontinue the cultivation of summer paddy and switch to alternative crops like maize and sugarcane.
Addressing the farmers at the Collectorate auditorium, DM Udayraj Singh emphasized the need for sustainable farming practices. “Growing paddy in summer not only lowers the groundwater level but also affects soil fertility due to the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides,” he said.Farmers were urged to adopt maize and sugarcane as alternatives. “These crops will preserve soil quality and benefit the environment,” said DM Singh.
Rajpal Singh said, “The administration’s efforts to promote alternative crops are finally showing results. The collective decision will mark a major step toward environmental conservation and sustainable farming in the Terai region”.
