Balers Help Punjab Farmers Reduce Stubble Burning

The Supreme Court's intervention in addressing farm fires has spurred demand for ex situ stubble management solutions in Punjab. Balers, a decade-old technology, play a pivotal role, with a significant number subsidized under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme. This article delves into the importance, functioning, and challenges surrounding baler machines in the context of sustainable agriculture.

The issue of farm fires, now under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court, has brought to the forefront the critical need for ex situ stubble management in Punjab. Among the technological solutions, 'Baler' machines have emerged as a significant player, with a decade of presence in the agricultural landscape. Currently, approximately 2,000 balers operate in Punjab, and a substantial 1,268 of them enjoy high subsidies ranging from 50% to 80% under the Centre's Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme.

Managing Paddy Stubble

Post-harvest, the paddy crop leaves stubble on the ground, necessitating its removal before the next crop can be sown. Traditionally, farmers resort to burning the stubble, contributing to significant air pollution. Environmentally friendly alternatives involve incorporating the stubble into the soil using machines like super seeders, constituting in situ management. However, farmers express concerns about this method leaving fields susceptible to insect attacks, leading to the use of toxic insecticides.

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Compressing Agricultural Residue

Balers play a crucial role in transforming agricultural residue into manageable and transportable bales. The process involves cutting crop residue with a tractor-mounted cutter, arranging the stubble with a rake after two days of drying, and then using a tractor-mounted baler machine to compress the stubble into compact bales using netting. These bales are subsequently transported to factories or dumping sites.

In fields where balers are employed, farmers can promptly plow the field and sow the next crop. The typical baler creates cylindrical or rectangular bales weighing 25-30 kg, with larger machines also available. A single baler, excluding subsidies, costs approximately Rs 14.5 lakh, with additional costs for the rake and cutter ranging from Rs 2.5-3 lakh. Each baler can cover 15-20 acres in a day, operating for around 45 days, weather permitting.

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Coverage and Challenges

Punjab, with around 32 lakh hectares of rice fields, faces coverage challenges, with only 15-18% of the area accessible by the existing balers in the state. Despite their significance, balers faced slow adoption initially, with no units sold under CRM in the first two years (2018, 2019). However, the subsequent three years witnessed a notable increase, with 768 balers sold under subsidy, and an additional 500 introduced this year. Currently, around 700 non-subsidized balers operate in the state, emphasizing the evolving role of balers under the CRM scheme.

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