Govt Announces Revised Guidelines for Crop Residue Management, Promotes Sustainable Stubble Management

In a significant move towards environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, the Government of India has announced revised guidelines for crop residue management. These guidelines promote the ex-situ management of paddy straw, offering financial assistance for the capital cost of machinery and fostering a collaborative approach between farmers and industries. This development was highlighted during a National Workshop on Clean & Green Solutions for Rice Straw Management, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

S Rukmani, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, underscored the government's commitment to assisting farmers in managing stubble. She announced the launch of revised guidelines on crop residue management and the promotion of ex-situ straw management. Under these guidelines, the government is providing substantial financial support, offering a subsidy of up to 65 percent for project machinery costs, with industries contributing 25 percent towards operational expenses.

Rukmani emphasized that agricultural stubble, often considered a nuisance, can actually be a source of wealth. The government is actively working to establish a paddy straw supply chain in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, involving industries capable of utilizing this resource. Until now, a robust supply chain for paddy straw had been lacking, hindering its potential benefits.

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Addressing the persistent issue of stubble burning, S Sivakumar, Chairman of CII National Agriculture Council and Group Head of Agri & IT Business at ITC Ltd, acknowledged that every solution can inadvertently create new problems. Stubble burning, once seen as a quick fix due to tight planting schedules, ultimately damaged soil quality and led to widespread pollution. He stressed that the ongoing journey towards sustainable rice straw management requires a comprehensive understanding of existing gaps, including awareness, cost-related challenges, and investment constraints, which can vary regionally.

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Arvind Meshram, Deputy Commissioner at the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, elaborated on the benefits of the revised guidelines. He noted that machinery such as the Happy Seeder and Super Seeder could help incorporate paddy straw into the soil, enriching it and benefiting farmers. The crop residue management project is expected to create income opportunities for farmers by enabling them to sell paddy straw, while industries will receive a consistent supply.

In July, the government revised the Crop Residue Management guidelines, specifically targeting the efficient ex-situ management of paddy straw generated in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. According to these revised guidelines, techno-commercial pilot projects for the Paddy Straw Supply Chain will be established through bilateral agreements between beneficiaries (including farmers, rural entrepreneurs, cooperative societies of farmers, Farmers Producer Organizations, and Panchayats) and industries utilizing paddy straw.

This government initiative represents a significant step forward in promoting sustainable agriculture practices, reducing environmental pollution, and generating additional income for farmers, ultimately contributing to India's agricultural and ecological well-being.

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