As the paddy harvesting season approaches, Punjab is ramping up its efforts to combat paddy straw burning. Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Tuesday announced that the state has made significant advanced arrangements to manage crop residue effectively, with a focus on reducing environmental impact.

To date, the Punjab Government has procured 5,534 Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines and issued sanction letters for an additional 6,377 machines, totaling 11,052 units. This proactive measure is designed to provide farmers with the necessary tools to manage paddy straw and prevent burning.

Among the CRM machines, the Super Seeder stands out with 4,945 sanction letters issued. Other popular machines include the Zero Till Drill with 1,164 sanction letters, the Hydraulic Reversible MB Plough with 637 letters, and the Paddy Straw Chopper with 591 letters. These machines are essential for effective straw management and soil preservation.

Khudian highlighted that the State Government has rolled out Rs 500 crore action plan to support farmers with CRM machinery and curb stubble burning. So far, 21,830 applications have been received from farmers, cooperative societies, and panchayats seeking subsidies for CRM equipment for the Kharif season 2024-25.

To support small and marginal farmers, the government has established 163 Customer Hiring Centres (CHCs) across the state. These centres are crucial in providing farmers with easy access to CRM machinery, helping them clear fields efficiently and sustainably.

Khudian urged the farmers to take full advantage of the 50 percent subsidy for individual farmers and 80 percent subsidy for groups and cooperatives on CRM machine purchases. He emphasized the importance of utilizing these resources to effectively manage paddy straw and contribute to environmental sustainability.