Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi Urges Farmers to Use Bio-decomposer, Happy Seeder Machine to Control Stubble Burning

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, interacted with farmers at a farm demonstration on crop residue management in village Rangian, Kharar tehsil, Distt SAS Nagar, Punjab.

Dr. Likhi emphasized that for effective control of paddy stubble burning during the ensuing season, the States should chalk out a comprehensive action plan at the micro level, establish a mechanism to ensure effective utilization of machines, promote the use of bio-decomposer in a complimentary mode with the CRM machines, promote ex-situ utilization of straw by way of mapping demand from adjoining industries like biomass based power plants, bioethanol plants etc. and take up IEC activities for mass awareness among farmers through intensive campaigns in the electronic/print media, social media as well as through Kisan Melas, publications, seminars and advisories with the involvement of all stakeholders in this sector.

Objectives of Crop Residue Management

The main objectives of the CRM include;

• Protecting the environment from air pollution and preventing the loss of nutrients and soil microorganisms caused by crop residue burning.

• Promoting crop residue management by retention/incorporation into the soil or collection for utilization through the use of appropriate mechanization inputs.

• Promoting Farm Machinery Banks for custom hiring of crop residue management machinery to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small landholding and high cost of individual ownership.

• Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration, capacity building activities and differentiated Information, Education and Communication strategies for effective utilization and management of crop residue.

50% financial assistance given to farmers for purchasing crop residue management machinery

Under this scheme, farmers receive 50% financial assistance for the purchase of crop residue management machinery, and cooperative societies, FPOs, and panchayats receive 80% financial assistance for the establishment of Custom Hiring Centers.

The scheme encourages the use of machines such as Super Straw Management Systems, Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, Smart Seeder, zero till seed cum fertiliser drill, Mulcher, Paddy Straw Chopper, hydraulically reversible mould board plough, crop reapers and reaper binders for in-situ crop residue management, and balers and rakes for straw collection in the form of bales for other ex-situ straw uses.