Centre's Bold Move to Eliminate Stubble Burning in Current Season, to Preserve Soil Fertility

In a bid to combat the annual menace of paddy stubble burning and its far-reaching consequences, a high-level inter-Ministerial meeting took place yesterday, co-chaired by Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Shri Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. The focal point of this meeting was to assess the readiness of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi in curbing paddy stubble burning during the ongoing season.

The assembly boasted an impressive lineup of attendees, including Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Agriculture Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Agriculture Minister of Punjab, Shri Jai Prakash Dalal, Agriculture Minister of Haryana, and Shri Gopal Rai, Environment Minister of Delhi. Accompanying them were senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, representatives from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and delegates from the concerned states.

A major highlight of the meeting was the comprehensive action plans and strategies presented by each state to mitigate the scourge of stubble burning. In a resolute step, the states were advised to optimally utilize the allocated funds for crop residue management, ensuring that machinery for Crop Residue Management (CRM) is accessible well ahead of the harvesting season. The meeting also emphasized the importance of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns, orchestrated in collaboration with ICAR and other stakeholders, to bolster awareness among farmers against the practice of paddy stubble burning.

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Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister for Environment, Shri Bhupender Yadav, lauded the collective efforts exerted over the last five years to tackle paddy stubble burning, asserting that these endeavours have borne promising results. With the diligent contribution of entities like the Commission for Air Quality Management, incidents of burning in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi have witnessed a considerable decline. Shri Yadav called for the promotion of ex situ management of paddy straw, which can serve as raw materials for industries, such as power generation and biomass utilization.

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, the Minister for Agriculture, extended his appreciation to all stakeholders for their earnest commitment to addressing the challenge of stubble burning. He remarked that their combined endeavours have been steadily diminishing instances of paddy stubble burning. Tomar also stressed that this predicament is not confined solely to the pollution affecting Delhi and its adjacent areas; it imperils the health and fertility of farmland. Thus, it's imperative to combat air pollution while safeguarding soil health, ultimately securing the interests of farmers.

A paramount objective set for the current season is the complete eradication of stubble burning. The Indian Government has allocated substantial funds through the CRM scheme to the four states in question, with the stipulation that the machinery be supplied to farmers promptly. Effective monitoring at the state level is deemed necessary to ensure proper machine utilization and the adoption of bio-decomposers. A renewed emphasis on repurposing paddy straw for commercial purposes via ex-situ management was also underscored. Furthermore, intensifying awareness campaigns to deter stubble burning and leveraging agencies like Agriculture Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) were recommended as pivotal steps in the fight against this issue.

With this collaborative approach, there is a palpable sense of optimism that the annual ritual of paddy stubble burning can be quelled, ushering in a healthier environment and more resilient farmlands for the welfare of the nation. The concerted efforts of government bodies, farmers, and stakeholders are steering the ship towards a cleaner, greener horizon.

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