Pusa decomposer cheapest and most effective solution for crop residue management: Tomar

The Union Inter-Ministerial Meeting with the States on the issue of crop residue management was chaired by Narendra Singh Tomar, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with Bhupendra Yadav, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as co-chair. The three ministers held intense discussions with the states to check the burning of stubble.

Tomar said that there was a need to fix the accountability of the collectors in the affected districts by the respective State Governments while Yadav said that the states should implement effective measures immediately. Rupala stressed proactive steps, especially for the problem of stubble burning in Punjab.

It was informed in the meeting that the states need to ensure effective utilization of 2.07 lakh machines already supplied by the Centre during the last four years and 47,000 machines being provided during the current year. Under the Central Scheme on Crop Residue Management, the Government is already providing financial assistance to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and NCT Delhi to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR due to stubble burning. Rs 601.53 crore has already been released by the Centre during the current year so far. Also, out of the amount given in the last four years, about Rs 900 crore is available with the states.

Tomar said that the states should promote the widespread use of bio-decomposer developed by the Pusa Institute for effective in situ decomposition of stubble. Pusa decomposer, he said, is the cheapest and most effective solution for crop residue management, which needs to be promoted.

He said that the Central Government had tried its best to fulfil the expectations of states. If the state governments also work diligently in the same way, it will bring good results. Especially, if effective checking is done on stubble burning in the Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts of Punjab, then half the job will be done because these two districts are facing the maximum problem. Effective control in these four states will also help contain the problem from spreading to other states. The availability of fodder for cattle will also be easy.

A workshop is being organized in Pusa, Delhi, on November 4, said Tomar, in which farmers from Punjab and adjoining areas have been called for this purpose.

Yadav said that more than two lakh machines given by the Centre were sufficient. It is necessary that they should be fully utilized for addressing the problem. Other contributing factors of pollution have also been considered by the Centre. Emphasizing effective control to prevent stubble burning, especially in Punjab, Yadav called upon the state’s Chief Secretary to take immediate and appropriate action as well as to promote the use of Pusa decomposer.

Considering the benefits of bio decomposers, states have been advised to demonstrate this technology in farmers' fields on a large scale. During the current year, a target has been set to bring more than 8.15 lakh hectares of land in the states under the ambit of this technology. To promote and disseminate the ex situ use of stubble by mapping the demand for stubble from biomass-based power plants, bioethanol plants and nearby industries as well as to reach out to all the stakeholders through Kisan Melas, publications, seminars, consultations, it has been urged to undertake IEC activities for awareness among farmers through intensive campaigns with their participation. This will effectively control stubble burning.

In the high-level review meeting, senior officials of Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi state governments and top officials of all the three central ministries as well as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Ministry of Power and senior officials of other central ministries and departments participated.