Gujjars to play key role in stubble management in Amritsar district

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With ex-situ stubble management plans faltering due to delayed biogas plant construction, the administration of this holy city is relying heavily on the Gujjar community to manage 50,000 metric tonnes of the total 9.43 lakh metric tonnes of paddy stubble.

Despite plans for six compressed biogas plants (CBG) in the area, none have become operational, and construction on five has not even begun. As a result, the administration is focusing on alternative measures, such as a single sugar mill, two pelletisation units, and the involvement of the Gujjars in using stubble as fodder for their buffaloes.

Baler operators not happy

• Baler operators, who have invested heavily in machinery and manage the entire process from baling to transportation, believe the government’s efforts are insufficient
• Lakhbir Singh, a baler operator, pointed out that increasing the number of industrial units utilising paddy straw would not only boost demand but also reduce transportation costs
• Jagroop Singh, another baler machine owner, noted that while he sold 10,000 metric tonnes of crop residue last year, the lack of sufficient buyers remains a significant issue

9.43 LMT Paddy straw to be generated

5.13 LMT In-situ management of stubble

4.3 LMT Ex-situ management of stubble

The Gujjar community, whose primary livelihood is buffalo rearing, has traditionally used basmati straw as dry fodder during the winter months. Jameel, a Gujjar community member, explained that while previously they collected straw from manually harvested fields, they now utilise baled straw, paying baler operators Rs 2,000-2,500 per bale and covering the transportation costs themselves.

Despite the challenges, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney remains optimistic about the plan’s feasibility. The administration has initiated measures to support inter-district transportation of stubble bales by issuing toll passes for the first time, allowing machinery involved in crop residue management to cross toll plazas without fees. Additionally, the administration has set up liaison centres in 10 blocks to facilitate communication between machine owners and farmers.

However, baler operators, who have invested heavily in machinery and manage the entire process from baling to transportation, believe the government’s efforts are insufficient. Lakhbir Singh, a baler operator, pointed out that increasing the number of industrial units utilising paddy straw would not only boost demand but also reduce transportation costs.

Currently, the lack of local buyers compels farmers to resort to burning the stubble, as transporting it to other districts is expensive. For instance, cutting stubble costs farmers around Rs 800 per acre, while baler operators charge nothing for baling but earn approximately Rs 4,250 from the sale of the stubble, which amounts to around 25 quintals per acre.

Farmers face additional costs for in-situ management of stubble, which involves using machinery such as rotavators and mulchers, making compliance with government guidelines financially burdensome. Jagroop Singh, another baler machine owner, noted that while he sold 10,000 metric tonnes of crop residue last year, the lack of sufficient buyers remains a significant issue. He argued that more local industrial units could help increase the price of crop residue, making it a more viable alternative for farmers.

Despite these hurdles, the administration remains focused on reducing stubble burning through collaborative efforts. The involvement of the Gujjar community and the support provided to baler operators are seen as crucial steps in managing the large volume of stubble. However, for these efforts to succeed, there needs to be a more robust infrastructure and support system for crop residue management to ensure that farmers are not left with no option but to burn their fields.