NEW DELHI: With the introduction of the Crop Residue Management Scheme, under which machines are provided to farmers at subsidized prices, the incidence of stubble burning is steadily declining, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Incidence of stubble burning is steadily decreasing due to government efforts: Agriculture MinisterChauhan said stubble burning is not the only cause of pollution, as scientific studies have proved that it does not contribute more than 5 per cent to pollution in the Delhi-NCR region even in winter.
Industrial units and vehicles are among the other major sources of pollution, but farmers are often blamed for it, he added.
Explaining the rationale behind launching the Crop Residue Management Scheme, the Agriculture Minister said that although stubble burning is an easy way for farmers to clear their fields for sowing the next crop, it has several disadvantages besides causing pollution.
These include destruction by crop-friendly insects, loss of nutrients and organic carbon, and loss of soil fertility. That is why the government has launched the Crop Residue Management Scheme, he said.
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Launching the scheme, Chauhan said farmers get 50 per cent subsidy to purchase machines for stubble management. Institutions that set up centers to rent out these machines to farmers can get 80 percent subsidy.
Over 3.5 lakh farmers – including 1,60,296 in Punjab, 1,10,550 in Haryana and 76,135 in Uttar Pradesh – have been provided machines under the CRM scheme. With these efforts, incidents of stubble burning have reduced significantly in states like Punjab and Haryana, Chauhan noted.
However, he admitted that only 17 percent reduction in stubble burning has been recorded in Uttar Pradesh and the government is making more efforts in this direction.
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Responding to a question about reduction in pulses production in 2024-25, he said the government is working with agricultural scientists to develop high-quality seeds for better crop yields, as quality seeds are in short supply and many farmers continue to use traditional varieties.
He also said that extreme weather conditions also affect crop production.
According to Chauhan, production of pulses has increased over the years. He said that in 2016, while India was the largest importer of pulses, the country witnessed a ‘pulse revolution’ with the use of technology, improved seed varieties, and better benefits for farmers.
As a result, production will touch a record high of 27.30 million tonnes in 2021-22, he said.
“Duls production has declined only in 2024-25,” he said, adding that the government had launched the Dalhan Mission, which includes initiatives such as development of improved seed varieties and replacement of traditional seeds.
When asked about moong production in Madhya Pradesh, Chauhan said it has increased, with the state now producing 20 lakh metric tonnes of moong, even in the summer season.
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