punjab-s-500cr-action-plan-for-stubble-burning

Punjab is aiming to bring down stubble burning cases to null for which the state's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department announced an action plan worth ₹500 crores. The money will be utilised to provide machinery and other measures during the paddy harvest season in 2024.

Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister stated that the department received at least 21,511 applications from farmers cooperatives, FPOs, and panchayats seeking subsidies for 63,697 crop residue management (CRM) machines during the upcoming paddy harvest season in 2024.

The initiative encompasses a range of subsidised machinery including super SMS, super seeder, surface seeder, smart seeder, happy seeder, paddy straw chopper, shredder, mulcher, hydraulic reversible mould board plough, zero till drill for in-situ management, and baler and rake for ex-situ solutions.

In between the time frame of 2018-19, the state has allocated 1,30,000 CRM machines to farmers. 

Minister Khudian emphasised that the Agriculture department will conduct an extensive information, education, and communication campaign to train farmers in utilizing these technologies effectively. The state government is committed to addressing stubble burning through proactive measures and farmer empowerment.

He further also ensured transparency in the whole process.