Perception of Extension Personnel and Farmers towards Effecton Open Burning in Rice and Wheat Cropping System

The practice of mono cropping of rice and wheat is very popular in the state of Punjab. Due to the short span of time between harvesting of rice and sowing of wheat, the farmers dispose of the straw in their fields by burning in the open fields. This paper appraises the perception of the farmers and extension personnel towards the effect of open burning in rice and wheat cropping system in Punjab. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that both the extension personnel and farmer respondents had different perception on statements like pest and pathogens can be controlled by straw burning, weeds can be controlled by open straw burning and burning of crop stubble decreases the yield of milk in milch animals and forest trees. Significant determinants of perception on effect of straw burning were education level and ecological consciousness of the farmer respondents. The study recommends various educational efforts to sensitize the farmers on the long term harmful effect of straw burning as this will improve the perception and understanding of their activities which will lead to discontinuance of straw burning practices.