Crop stubble burning likely to come down

CHANDIGARH: Crop stubble burning, which last year raised air pollution to alarming levels in Delhi, is likely to be lower this year because of higher sale of machines that mechanically remove remnants of the harvest. However, many farmers are still continuing with the old practice.

Officials estimate that crop stubble burning and the consequent air pollution would be 10-15% lower this year because of the government’s drive against the practice.

The government’s drive has increased demand for mechanisation to manage paddy stubble in Punjab and Haryana.

The Haryana agriculture department is flooded with requests for grants to buy straw management machinery. The sales of rotavators, zero tillers, hydraulic ploughs, bailers, mulching machines and tractors are on the rise in Punjab. “Hundreds of applications are coming from various districts,” an official of Haryana agriculture department said. “The demand will far surpass the allocations,” he maintained.

The state agriculture department is extending subsidy of up to 40% on purchase of equipment to tackle burning of paddy straw.

Tractor and farm equipment makers including M&M, International Tractors and Escorts are recording an increase in sales of tractors as well as related machinery although the sales are still short of requirement.

“The situation warrants comprehensive awareness among farmers and sustained government support,” says V-P (marketing and strategy planning), International Tractors Rajeev Marwah.