Punjab to Tackle Stubble Burning & Enhance Crop Residue Management, To Provide 22,000 Straw Management Machines

In a groundbreaking move to combat the menace of stubble burning and mitigate air pollution, the Punjab Government has unveiled an ambitious action plan for the upcoming 2023 kharif season. The plan, valued at Rs 350 crore, intends to provide over 22,000 crop residue management machines on subsidy to farmers across the state.

This comprehensive paddy straw management strategy is strategically targeting a zero stubble-burning scenario in seven districts, namely Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Mohali, SBS Nagar, and Malerkotla. Furthermore, a 50 per cent reduction in stubble fire incidents is projected in the districts of Patiala, Sangrur, Faridkot, and Muktsar.

Highlighting the importance of this endeavour, Gurwinder Singh, Director of Punjab Agriculture, emphasized, "We have allocated Rs 350 crore for the paddy straw management initiative." This multifaceted approach includes distributing around 21,000 in-situ management machines for effectively incorporating crop residue into fields and 1,800 balers for ex-situ utilization, such as employing stubble as fuel.

Among the machinery to be subsidized are the super seeder, smart seeder, happy seeder, paddy straw chopper, shredder, mulcher, hydraulic reversible mould board plough, and zero till drill for in-situ management. Additionally, balers for ex-situ management will be available under this scheme.

Farmers can avail themselves of a 50 per cent subsidy for individual use, while cooperative societies and custom hiring centers are eligible for an 80 per cent subsidy for procuring straw management machinery.

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This initiative builds upon the strides made since the launch of the agricultural mechanization scheme for crop residue management in 2018. Over 1.17 lakh such machines have been distributed to date. Notably, the Central Government had granted Rs 1,400 crore over the last five years for crop residue management as a 100 per cent grant. However, this year, the Central Government has opted to contribute 60 per cent of the funding, with Punjab covering the remaining 40 per cent in the Rs 350 crore action plan.

"The Union Government will provide Rs 210 crore, while the state government is committed to contributing Rs 140 crore," affirmed the official.

Punjab's sprawling paddy fields encompass approximately 31 lakh hectares, yielding over 200 lakh tonnes of paddy straw annually. Out of this, 120 lakh tonnes are managed through various in-situ and ex-situ methods. The prevalent practice of paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana has been a major contributor to the alarming air pollution levels in the national capital and the northern regions, particularly during October and November.

The pressing nature of Rabi crop wheat planting shortly after the paddy harvest has often led farmers to resort to field burning for swift residue clearance, contributing to air pollution. However, this season, the agriculture department is optimistic about a 10 per cent reduction in paddy straw generation due to the cultivation of the short-duration PR-126 variety across a substantial portion of the state.

The PR-126 variety, with a maturity cycle of 93 days after transplantation, yields significantly less straw compared to traditional long-duration varieties. This shift was prompted by the need to resow crops following flood-related damages in July, impacting several areas in Punjab.

The innovative approach taken by the Punjab Government is a commendable step towards both agricultural sustainability and environmental conservation. As efforts continue to evolve and expand, hopes are high that this multifaceted plan will significantly curtail stubble burning and pave the way for cleaner air and healthier farmlands.

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