The national capital region has a permanent solution in the near future for its problem of severe air pollution caused by farm stubble burning which occurs during every harvest season. The government on March 7, approved a Rs 1,151 crore scheme for the 2018-20 period to subsidize machinery procurement for in-situ management of crop residue in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and NCR. The key component of the scheme will be establishment of ‘farm machinery banks’ for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery.
Furthermore, under this entirely centrally-funded scheme, the government will assist individual farmers, cooperative societies, farmer producer organizations, self-help groups, private entrepreneurs and registered groups of women farmers.
Primarily the fund will be used to subsidize machinery required for in-situ management of the crop residue. However, Rs 591 crore will be spent in next fiscal while the remaining Rs. 560 crore, will be meant for assisting stakeholders in 2019-20, out of Rs. 1,151 crore.
According to reports, the agriculture ministry will be responsible for identifying manufacturers and equipment for in-situ management of crop. All the costs of these equipment will also be decided by the ministry in consultation with manufacturers so that it can be made available to users at a reasonable price.
Image Credit: vox
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