Source: PIB & Scheme guidelines
Background
Earlier, as per directions from Prime Minister’s Office in 2017 with regard to the pollution caused in Delhi NCR due to stubble burning in States surrounding, a high-level committee under Secretary (DARE) has been set up. The committee has recommended for adopting mechanized crop residue management. Aa per the recommendations Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has formulated a Scheme which was included in the 2018-19 Budget.
Objectives of the Scheme
- Protecting the environment from air pollution and preventing loss of nutrients and soil micro-organisms caused by burning of crop residue
- Promoting in-situ management of crop residue by retention and incorporation into the soil through the use of appropriate mechanization inputs
- Promoting Farm Machinery Banks for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small landholding and high cost of individual ownership.
- Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration, capacity building activities and differentiated Information, Education and Communication strategies for effective utilization and management of crop residue.
Components of the scheme
- Establish Farm Machinery Banks or Custom Hiring Centres of in-situ crop residue management machinery
- Procurement of Agriculture Machinery and Equipment for in-situ crop residue management
- Information, Education, and Communication for awareness on in-situ crop residue management
Key features the scheme
- The Central Sector Scheme, ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the State of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh & NCT of Delhi’ was launched 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.
- Within one year of its implementation utilizing an amount of Rs. 500 crore, the happy seeder/zero tillage technology was adopted in 8 lakh hectares of land in the North-Western States of India.
- Under the scheme, financial assistance @50% of the cost is provided to the farmers for the purchase of in-situ crop residue management machines on individual ownership basis.
- The financial assistance for the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres of in-situ crop residue management machinery is @ 80% of the project cost.
