Stubble management speeds up in Punjab, small farmers face machinery shortage
The use of machinery for paddy stubble disposal has been increased in Punjab, but small farmers are facing severe difficulties due to the non-availability of required machines.
Work to manage stubble after paddy harvesting is going on rapidly in Punjab. Heavy machines have been deployed to collect stubble from the fields and make bales.
Through tractor-operated machines, the stubble is either ploughed back into the fields or baled and removed. These bales are being sent to biomass, biogas and bio-ethanol plants through large trucks. In addition, stubble is also being used to generate electricity and steam in industrial boilers.
A large portion of the nearly 19.5 million tonnes of stubble generated after paddy harvesting in the state is being disposed of within the fields itself. Kuldip Singh, owner of four balers, stated that baler operators lift stubble free of cost from the fields, which saves farmers about Rs 1,000 per acre for the next crop. He said that they sell these bales to plants and industries at the rate of Rs 200 per quintal.
On the other hand, small farmers are facing immense trouble due to the shortage of machines. Farmer Harjinder Singh Baggi said that the demand for stubble management machinery has increased manifold. He said that balers and trucks-trolleys are not reaching the fields of small farmers, due to which stubble burning incidents are increasing in the fields.
According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board, about 96,600 stubble management machines are currently operating in the state. Out of these, 65,225 machines are with private farmers and 31,373 machines have been provided through custom hiring centres.
According to the board's figures, there are over 53,000 super seeders, 8,700 choppers and mulchers, and 3,000 straw balers present in the state. Private machinery is managing stubble across 78,764 hectares daily and the centres' machines across 35,566 hectares.
Key developments
- Over 96,600 machines deployed for stubble management in Punjab
- Stubble being baled in fields and sent to biomass and bio-ethanol plants
- Small farmers facing difficulty due to non-availability of balers and trucks
