Ludhiana: Paddy Cultivation Gets a Boost with 1,875 Approved Subsidies for Farm Machinery

Ludhiana district is taking action against stubble burning as 1,875 farmers receive subsidies for crop residue management (CRM) machines. Last year, the district saw a 50% reduction in farm fires, with a surge in farmer interest in stubble management.

Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Narinder Pal Singh shared that 2,56,900 hectares are under paddy cultivation this season, with 1,875 of 3,000 applications approved for subsidies. The preferred method remains in situ, with 1,771 approvals. Both in-situ and ex-situ methods are available, with individual farmers receiving 50% subsidies and custom hiring centers up to 80%.

The significance of this initiative lies in the dual approach it offers for managing paddy stubble, catering to diverse agricultural needs. In-situ management involves the incorporation of stubble into the soil using Crop Residue Management machines. On the other hand, ex-situ management entails the removal of stubble from fields and its supply to stubble-based industries.

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Agriculture Department Assistant Agriculture Engineer Harmanpreet Singh elaborated on the available machinery options, highlighting in-situ machines such as the happy seeder, super seeder, paddy straw chopper, smart seeder, shredder, and zero-till drill. For ex-situ management, machines like balers and straw rakes are available.

Additionally, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has forged partnerships with eleven well-established farm machinery manufacturers in Punjab, marking a significant step in the promotion of the groundbreaking PAU Surface Seeder Technology. This cost-efficient innovation is on the verge of bringing about a transformative shift in the way wheat is sown, completely negating the necessity of burning paddy residue.

MS Bhullar, who serves as the Head of the Department of Agronomy, along with agronomist J S Gill, expressed their enthusiasm over the positive reception of this technology during the field trials organized by PAU.

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The Punjab Agricultural University is partnering with local manufacturers to promote surface seeder technology, which is cost-effective and reduces wheat sowing expenses to Rs 700 to Rs 800 per acre.

PAU Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal emphasized the economic efficiency of the PAU Surface Seeder Technology, facilitating the timely planting of wheat while avoiding the ecologically damaging tradition of burning paddy residue. This revolutionary technology is poised to substantially lower the expenses associated with per-acre wheat sowing, thereby promoting more eco-conscious and sustainable agricultural practices.

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