Stubble management has become a critical issue in India’s agricultural sector, particularly in states like Punjab. The Supreme Court’s focus on farm fires has highlighted the need for effective solutions. One such solution gaining popularity is the Baler machine, an innovation designed for ex-situ (off-site) stubble management. Presently, around 2,000 Baler machines operate in Punjab; with 1,268 of these being highly subsidised (funding between 50%-80%) under the Centre’s Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme.
The Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme: An Overview
The CRM scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. This initiative offers financial assistance to farmers and relevant organisations for purchasing crop residue management machinery, thereby addressing stubble burning issues. Farmers receive a 50% subsidy on machinery purchases while Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Panchayats are eligible for up to an 80% subsidy for establishing Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). Machinery supported by this scheme includes Super Straw Management Systems, Balers, Rakes, Happy Seeders, and more.
Understanding Baler Machines and Their Significance in Agriculture
Baler machines are hydraulic presses that compress crop residues into compact, manageable packages, facilitating efficient storage and transport. Once farmers cut the crop residue with a tractor-mounted cutter, a tractor-mounted baler machine compacts the stubble into bales using netting. These machines significantly contribute to environmental preservation by eliminating crop stubble burning, thus reducing air pollution and soil degradation. They also enhance resource efficiency and open avenues for revenue generation from the sale of compressed stubble.
Exploring Alternatives to Handle Crop Stubble
There are additional methods to manage crop stubble, such as in-situ treatment. For instance, farmers can use zero-tiller machines or bio-decomposers for crop residue management. Technological solutions like the Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine also contribute to this issue. They can uproot the stubble and sow seeds in the cleared area. The removed stubble can then be used as mulch for the field.
The Challenges Faced in Adopting Baler Machines
Despite their benefits, baler machines come with their own sets of challenges. The high input cost is a significant barrier; a single baler costs about Rs 14.5 lakh without subsidies. In fact, no baler units were sold in the first two years after they were included under the CRM scheme. Affordability issues apart, there’s also a shortage of machines. With Punjab’s 32 lakh hectares of rice fields, only about 15-18% of this area can be covered by the existing balers in the state. A single baler can cover only 15-20 acres in a day.
Delving into Stubble Burning
Stubble burning is a method used by farmers to remove paddy crop residues from the field to facilitate wheat sowing from the last week of September to November. This process involves setting fire to the straw stubble left after harvesting grains such as paddy and wheat. It is prevalent in areas adopting combined harvesting methods, which leave crop residue behind.
