As Delhi-NCR braces for poor air quality due to stubble burning, the Centre on Saturday called on Punjab and Haryana to mobilize resources in high-risk districts to prevent an anticipated rise in burning incidents. During an inter-ministerial meeting at Krishi Bhawan, officials projected an increase in stubble burning in the next two weeks, driven by the ongoing harvest in Punjab and Haryana. Although both states have reported fewer incidents this year, a slower harvest due to procurement delays in Punjab could intensify burning episodes.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, joining virtually, highlighted a reduction in stubble burning incidents—down 35% in Punjab and 21% in Haryana from last year. Despite this improvement, Chouhan urged the states to continue reducing cases through in-situ and ex-situ paddy straw management strategies. He noted that concerted efforts since 2017 have already decreased burning episodes by 51%. Additionally, Chouhan emphasized promoting bio-decomposer use on a mission scale to manage crop residue.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai, and agriculture ministers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh also participated. Haryana outlined its various incentives for farmers to manage stubble, including biomass and crop diversification initiatives. Punjab plans to handle 11.5 million tonnes of its 19.5 million tonnes of straw through in-situ methods, while Haryana intends to manage 3.3 million tonnes of its 8 million tonnes of straw with similar methods, also focusing on ex-situ solutions for small industries using straw as briquettes and pellets.
The Centre has allocated ₹600 crore for crop residue management for 2024-25, with Punjab receiving ₹150 crore, Haryana ₹75 crore, Uttar Pradesh ₹50 crore, and over ₹8 crore for Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Since launching the Crop Residue Management Scheme, states have procured three lakh CRM machines for farmers and custom hiring centers, fostering efforts to tackle the air quality crisis in northern India.
