Government Announces Subsidies to Assist Farmers in Crop Residue Management

The main aim of Crop Residue Management is to help farmers manage crop leftovers more efficiently. The initiative encourages two primary approaches: incorporation of residues into the soil to enrich it and enhance fertility, and the collection of residues for further utilization, such as animal fodder or bioenergy production.

Dr Jaswant Rai, Chief Agriculture Officer, launched new schemes to assist farmers in successfully managing crop leftovers, particularly paddy straw. Through the Crop Residue Management (CRM) initiative, the government is providing subsidies for the purchase of machinery for stubble management.

The main aim of the government behind this scheme is to help farmers manage crop leftovers more efficiently, mainly paddy straw. It will also protect the environment by reducing air pollution and limiting the loss of important nutrients and soil microorganisms.

The CRM scheme also encourages residue management through mechanization, such as incorporating residues into the soil or collecting them for later use, as well as the establishment of Farm Machinery Banks to ensure that all farmers, including small-scale farmers, have access to crop residue management machinery.

Machines purchased under the scheme in the fiscal year 2023-24 will be subjected to physical inspections beginning on November 1, 2023. These inspections will be done at the respective Block Agriculture Offices.

Inspections will take place in Paldi village, near Nagra Palace, in Block Mahilpur, and at the Cooperative Sabha in Darapur village in Block Talwara. Farmers that require verification assistance may contact their relevant Block Agriculture Officer for further assistance.

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Dr Jaswant Rai has requested farmers to use these machines to their full potential and share their benefits with others, particularly small and marginal farmers. This will help to ensure timely crop residue management and reduce the need for burning, encouraging a sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural ecology.

The crop residue management program encourages two primary approaches: incorporation of residues into the soil to enrich it and enhance fertility, and the collection of residues for further utilization, such as animal fodder or bioenergy production. These methods are not only eco-friendly but also ensure that the nutrients locked within the crop residues are returned to the soil, benefiting future crops.