Straw management policy in place, adoption remains a challenge in Punjab

As for the past six years, the state government has a grand plan in place for crop residue management (paddy straw) this year as well. However, the question is if the plan will be implemented in as good a manner as it is drafted, especially when the ex-situ stubble management hangs fire due to protests by farmers.

Around 19.52 million metric tonnes (MMT) paddy straw is expected to be generated on 31.54 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation (both basmati and non-basmati) this year. A plan has been drawn to scientifically manage the entire paddy straw.

However, this may be rather ambitious, considering the delays in the release of stubble-management machinery; compressed biogas plants not getting commissioned because of public protests; and farmer unions failing to issue diktats against farm fires.

Availability of machines

• 1,38,022 machines supplied during 2018-2023
• 41,328 applications received for such machines this year
• 14,596 applications already sanctioned
• 6,597 machines supplied to farmers till date

The plan

• 12.70 MMT in-situ stubble management
• 5.96 MMT ex-situ stubble management
• 0.86 MMT to be used as fodder for animals Ex-situ management
• 3.1 MMT for industrial boilers
• 1.17 MMT for biomass power plants
• 0.54 MMT for CBG plants
• 0.20 MMT for bio-ethanol manufacturing plants
• 0.77 MMT for thermal power plants
• 0.18 MMT for brick-kilns

Tackling straw

• 36 new industrial units to use 10.28 LMT straw as fuel
• 21 new pellet manufacturing units to consume around 4.75 LMT straw
• Policy on cards to promote paddy straw in distilleries
• Paddy straw on 8,000 acres to be managed through bio-decomposers
• Replacing PUSA 44 with PR 126 variety

Figures of challans issued and compensation realised from defaulting farmers over the past couple of years bear testimony to the “soft approach” of the government towards defaulting farmers. After all, no political party wants to draw their ire, considering their sizeable vote bank. The policy, however, lists stringent measures against defaulting farmers.

With just a fortnight to go for the paddy harvest to begin in the state, the government is hopeful that at least 12.70 MMT straw will be managed through in-situ stubble-management techniques.

Against a target of providing 36,020 stubble-management machines, mainly surface seeders, balers and rakers, the government has sanctioned 14,596 machines for farmers who applied to get subsidy for buying these, using 60 per cent subsidy from the Centre and 40 per cent from the state.

Of these, 6,597 machines have been procured by farmers. The number is over and above 1,38,022 machines procured across the state between 2018 and 2023, after the Central scheme for the promotion of agriculture mechanisation for in-situ management of crop residue was started.