“Stubble Management is the Collective Responsibility of Everyone": Narendra Singh Tomar

The workshop was organized under the leadership of Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, in which thousands of farmers participated.

Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DDG (NRM) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr. S.K. Chaudhary, Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh also addressed the workshop.

It is worth mentioning that the technology of decomposer has now been transferred by IARI to other companies including UPL, through which it is being produced and made available to the farmers.

During the workshop, Tomar said that proper management of paddy stubble is the collective responsibility of everyone to prevent pollution. He said concerned State Governments- Punjab, Haryana, U.P. and Delhi were given more than Rs 3000 crore for stubble management by the Centre. Punjab was allocated the maximum fund of about Rs 1450 crores, while Haryana got Rs 900 crores, UP Rs 713 crores and 6 Crore rupees to Delhi. 

The minister said a comprehensive solution to this problem is possible with the optimum use of 2.07 lakh machines made available to the states with the support provided by the Central government. He added that besides solving the pollution problem Pusa Decomposer will also increase the fertility of the land.

He further said that the problem of stubble burning is serious and at this stage allegations and counter allegations won’t be accepted. Tomar added that stubble burning causes harm to the environment as well as the people and hence a way should be found to deal with it.

During the workshop, farmers who have used Pusa Decomposer shared their experiences with others.

The Centre is serious about controlling stubble burning and several meetings have been held with all the stakeholders in this regard. On 19^th October, in the presence of Tomar, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Minister Parshottam Rupala held discussions with the concerned state governments & necessary guidelines were issued.

On September 21, a meeting was held with the state heads under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister.