Punjab's Rs 500 Crore Initiative to Combat Stubble Burning

The Punjab government has allocated Rs 500 crore to provide machinery and other measures to curb stubble burning. Around 21,511 applications for subsidies on crop residue management machinery were received. Various subsidies are available, including 50% for individual farmers and 80% for cooperative societies.

The Punjab government has announced an ambitious Rs 500 crore action plan aimed at curbing stubble burning by providing advanced machinery to farmers.

Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian revealed that his department has received 21,511 applications from farmers, cooperative societies, and panchayats for subsidies on various crop residue management (CRM) machinery for the Kharif season 2024.

Individual farmers can benefit from a 50 percent subsidy on CRM equipment, while cooperative societies and panchayats can avail up to 80 percent subsidy. The plan includes a variety of machines such as super SMS, super seeder, and zero till drill for both in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management.

Since 2018, over 1,30,000 CRM machines have been distributed to farmers. The agriculture department will also launch a campaign to educate farmers on using these technologies for crop residue management.