Punjab honours 250 farmers for Saying No to stubble burning at 'Saanjh Punjab Farmers Awards'
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), May 8, 2026: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), in collaboration with Clean Air Punjab, on Thursday organised a state-level farmers’ awards ceremony to honour cultivators promoting non-burning agricultural practices and sustainable farming across Punjab.
Held at the Pal Auditorium of PAU, the event marked the second edition of the “Saanjh Punjab Farmers Awards,” a joint initiative aimed at encouraging alternatives to stubble burning and strengthening climate-resilient agriculture in the state.
Close to 250 farmers from districts across Punjab were felicitated for adopting sustainable practices and reducing crop residue burning. Organisers said the programme not only recognised individual efforts but also created a platform for farmers to exchange experiences, innovations and practical solutions related to sustainable agriculture.
“Saanjh Punjab” is a network of progressive farmers and organisations working towards environmentally sustainable farming in Punjab. The initiative brings together grassroots groups and institutions including Manav Vikas Sansthan, IPS Foundation, Kheti Virasat Mission and Clean Air Punjab.
The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. Makhan Singh Bhullar, followed by remarks from Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, who also led the awards ceremony alongside senior officials from PAU and Clean Air Punjab.
Speaking on the occasion, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal said, “Punjab’s agricultural future depends on sustainable practices. The farmers being recognised today are leading this change on the ground. Their efforts show that productivity and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Dr. Makhan Singh Bhullar said peer-to-peer learning among farmers plays a key role in encouraging behavioural change in agriculture.
“Recognising farmers who are not burning crop residue helps set a positive example across the agricultural community,” he said. The event also featured presentations by PAU experts and partner organisations highlighting field-tested and scalable solutions for reducing stubble burning.
During the concluding session, Sanam Sutirath Wazir stressed the need for collective action and farmer-led transitions towards cleaner agricultural practices.
“This initiative is about building a community of practice. When farmers learn from each other, change becomes faster and more sustainable,” Wazir said.