Good news for Delhi; stubble-burning down

In good news for all those concerned about the declining air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR), the paddy residue burning has significantly reduced in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, satellite data indicates. Highlighting the considerable reduction in crop residue burning incidents in 2018, Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that India has demonstrated through coordinated public and private efforts that such challenges can be addressed effectively.

This, he pointed out, was achieved through the various efforts under government schemes on promotion of agricultural mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the State of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh & NCT of Delhi. He said more than 4500 villages in Punjab and Haryana were declared as “Zero Stubble Burning Villages” during 2018, as not a single crop-burning incident was reported from these villages during the year.

Mohapatra said the scheme was launched for the period from 2018-19 to 2019-20 by the Government of India to tackle air pollution and to subsidize machinery required for in-situ management of crop residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi. The financial assistance for the establishment of custom hiring centres of in-situ crop residue management machinery is at 80% of the project cost.

During 2018-19, the funds amounting to INR 269.38 crores, INR137.84 crores and INR 148.60 crores have been released to the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively, for distribution of insitu crop residue management machinery to the farmers on subsidy, establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) of in-situ crop residue management machinery and undertaking Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities for creating awareness among farmers.

During 2019-20, funds amounting to INR 273.80 crores, INR192.06 crores and INR 105.29 crores have also been released so far to the Governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

ICAR is implementing the scheme through 60 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Punjab (22), Haryana (14), Delhi (1) and UP (23). In this scheme, awareness campaigns were conducted by organizing 1000s of demonstrations, putting up hoardings, banners and wall paintings all across the States.

Almost 700 awareness programs at village levels, farming fairs and 250 schools and colleges were sensitized to the problem of stubble burning and the consequent air pollution and more than 200,000 stakeholders were sensitized during one year. More than 400 hands-on training was organized and 18,000 farmers, tractor owner and machine operators were trained, officials said.

In addition to the above scheme, separate funds were allocated to the states for crop residue management and for demonstration of straw management machinery at farmers’ fields. (TNA)

Almost 700 awareness programs at village levels, farming fairs and 250 schools and colleges were sensitized to the problem of stubble burning and the consequent air pollution and more than 200,000 stakeholders were sensitized during one year. More than 400 hands-on training was organized and 18,000 farmers, tractor owner and machine operators were trained, officials said