Punjab Govt Boosts Crop Management with Subsidies for Farmers

The Punjab government, led by Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, will supply over 22,000 crop residue management machines to farmers with significant subsidies. A Rs 500 crore action plan aims to curb stubble burning. The state promotes the DSR technique, increasing its adoption by 28% compared to last year.

The Punjab government, under the leadership of Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, is set to provide more than 22,000 crop residue management (CRM) machines to farmers. This initiative aims to tackle the issue of paddy straw management.

Minister Khuddian has called upon officials to ensure the draw of lots for subsidized CRM machines is conducted within this month. He emphasized that the subsidy should be dispatched to farmers by the end of August.

To combat stubble burning, the state has devised a Rs 500 crore action plan, making CRM machines available at subsidized rates for the 2024-25 paddy harvest season. Individual farmers are eligible for a 50% subsidy, while cooperative societies and panchayats can receive an 80% subsidy on these machines.

Khuddian commended farmers for embracing the direct seeded rice (DSR) technique, noting a 28% increase in its adoption compared to last year. Currently, 2.20 lakh acres have been sown using DSR as opposed to 1.72 lakh acres last year. The state aims to bring 5 lakh acres under DSR and offers Rs 1,500 per acre as financial assistance to encourage this method.