Punjab Government Extends 65% Subsidy on 30 Balers for Farmer Groups and CHCs

As the paddy harvest season in Punjab approaches in October and November, farmers in the state are set to receive subsidized balers, a crucial step towards addressing the issue of paddy stubble burning. These machines, each costing around ₹1 crore, will aid in compacting crop remnants left in the fields, eliminating the need for environmentally harmful burning practices.

Paddy stubble burning has long been a cost-effective but ecologically damaging method to dispose of agricultural residue. It has contributed significantly to air pollution in North India. Recognizing the urgency to address this issue, the Punjab government is shifting its focus towards more sustainable solutions, such as incorporating crop residue back into the fields or selling it.

Under this initiative, the Punjab government will provide 30 balers to farmer groups and custom hiring centers (CHCs) at a substantial subsidy of 65%. These groups or centers can then rent out the balers to individual farmers, promoting widespread adoption of this eco-friendly practice.

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The response to the program has been promising, with 210 applications for subsidized balers received by the state agriculture department as of August 15. According to department director Jaswant Singh, beneficiaries will be selected based on their specific needs, with the list of recipients expected to be announced soon. 

The balers being used in this initiative are equipped with advanced German technology and are being assembled within Punjab. They play a vital role in efficiently removing paddy stubble from the fields by forming bales weighing between three to five quintals each.

In Punjab, paddy cultivation spans over three million hectares (7.5 million acres) during the Kharif season, resulting in a substantial yield of 19-20 million tonnes of paddy and a staggering 22 million tonnes of stubble. A significant portion of this stubble is either managed in-situ or used as fuel in various industries, while the remaining 40% is set ablaze, contributing to smog and air pollution in northern India, particularly affecting cities like Delhi.

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Jaswant Singh highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that the narrow window between paddy harvest and wheat sowing necessitates the use of large machines to swiftly clear fields of paddy stubble.

To address this issue, the Central government has been supporting Punjab's Crop Residue Management (CRM) program since 2018. The program received a grant of ₹1,370 crore for the state from 2018 to 2022. For the current season, ₹350 crore has been allocated, with the condition that Punjab contributes 40% (₹140 crore), while the remaining 60% (₹210 crore) will be funded by the Central government. This collaborative effort aims to provide farmers with sustainable alternatives and safeguard the environment for future generations.

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