From Pollution to Prosperity: Nayab Singh Saini Government’s Stubble Management Model Transforms Haryana

Ratia: Stubble, once associated with toxic smoke and worsening air pollution across Delhi and neighbouring regions, is now emerging as an additional source of income for farmers in Haryana. A shift in the state's approach to crop residue management has turned an environmental challenge into an economic opportunity.

BJP Haryana State General Secretary and HARCOFED Chairman Ved Phool explained the transformation while speaking from the fields, highlighting the initiatives introduced by the government led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

He said the change did not happen overnight but was made possible through the government's farmer-friendly policies, cooperation from the farming community and increased access to modern agricultural machinery.

From a Burning Problem to a Practical Solution

Earlier, farmers had limited options for managing paddy stubble after harvesting. With a narrow window available for sowing wheat, many resorted to burning crop residue to clear their fields quickly. This contributed to air pollution, affected soil fertility and often placed farmers at the centre of criticism.

However, the Saini government shifted its approach from blaming farmers to providing them with practical and affordable alternatives.

How Has the Government Turned Stubble into an Income Source?

Ved Phool highlighted three major aspects of the state's stubble management strategy.

1. Subsidies Make Modern Machinery More Accessible

The government has extended substantial subsidies on various machines used for stubble management, helping farmers reduce the financial burden of adopting modern agricultural technology.

The subsidy structure includes:

• Straw Cutter: ₹28,000 subsidy on a machine costing ₹50,000.

• Rake: ₹1.65 lakh subsidy on a machine costing ₹3.5 lakh.

• Baler: ₹6.5 lakh subsidy on a machine costing ₹14 lakh.

• Round Baler: ₹9 lakh subsidy on a machine costing ₹45 lakh.

• Super Seeder: ₹1.20 lakh subsidy on a machine costing ₹2.5 lakh.

According to Phool, these machines are now increasingly available across villages. Farmers can purchase them individually or access them through Custom Hiring Centres by paying rental charges.

2. Crop Residue Becomes an Additional Source of Income

Instead of burning stubble, farmers can now collect it, convert it into bales and supply it to pellet and biomass plants for further processing.

Phool said farmers can earn up to ₹2,800 per acre from selling stubble. This means a farmer cultivating 10 acres could potentially generate an additional income of ₹28,000 through crop residue management.

The initiative has created an economic incentive for farmers to adopt environmentally responsible practices.

3. Better Air Quality and Improved Soil Health

The shift away from stubble burning is also helping address environmental concerns. Meanwhile, the use of Super Seeders allows crop residue to be incorporated into the soil during the sowing process.

As the residue decomposes, it contributes organic matter to the soil, supporting soil health and potentially reducing farmers' dependence on chemical fertilisers.

Haryana Emerging as a Model for Other States

Ved Phool said Haryana, which was previously criticised over stubble burning, was now setting an example in crop residue management.

"Earlier, Haryana was criticised for stubble burning. Today, the same state is showing the entire country how stubble can be managed effectively. This is the result of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's farmer-friendly approach," he said.

He added that the government had worked towards developing a market for stubble, providing machinery and encouraging farmers to participate in the initiative. According to him, the cooperation between the government and farmers has been central to its success.

Farmers Welcome the Initiative

Farmers present during the interaction also expressed satisfaction with the new arrangements. They said the availability of machinery had reduced the need to burn stubble, while converting crop residue into bales had opened up an additional earning opportunity.

Expansion of Pellet Plants Planned

Phool further stated that the government was preparing to establish more pellet plants across villages. The objective is to bring processing facilities closer to agricultural areas, reduce transportation difficulties and help farmers secure better prices for their crop residue.

The initiative aims to strengthen the stubble management ecosystem while making sustainable farming practices more financially beneficial for Haryana's agricultural community.