As we know, farmers have been facing a lot of pressure to stop the practice of burning paddy straw, which has dire consequences for the environment and public health. However, it is often overlooked that the farmer community needs crucial financial assistance to adopt alternative measures to dispose of crop residues. The Indian government has acknowledged this and has introduced several schemes to provide financial assistance to farmers who implement eco-friendly ways of managing crop residues.
One of the most significant efforts in this direction is the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY). Under this scheme, farmers can obtain monetary assistance to set up various infrastructure facilities for the conservation of water as well as soil and moisture. Another program, the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), offers subsidies and financial aid to farmers for purchasing equipment and implements such as Zero Till Seed Drills, Happy Seeders, etc., which can discard crop residues without burning them.
Similarly, the National Agricultural Development Scheme (NFDS) presents financial support to farmers for establishing biogas plants, vermicomposting units, compost pits, and other such facilities. These efforts not only help farmers to dispose of crop residues without causing harm but also generate income for them through the sale of compost, biogas, vermicompost, etc.
Additionally, the Indian farming community can benefit from initiatives like the Kisan Credit Card scheme, which offers credit on easy terms to meet the credit requirements of farming communities by providing timely access to financial assistance in the event of crop loss or damage to crops. Such schemes can prevent farmers from falling into debt or resorting to harmful farming practices that damage the environment.
Finally, the government’s Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) also established several market yards and agricultural Mandis across the country. The farmers can have easy access to these Mandis, which provide them with a ready platform to sell their produce, thereby eliminating the need for middlemen. This ensures that farmers earn a fair price for their crops, which translates into a stable source of income that can help them finance eco-friendly practices, purchase modern farming equipment or adopt practices that conserve soil health.
In conclusion, while it is essential to encourage Indian farmers to abandon harmful practices like stubble burning, it is equally vital to offer them meaningful financial aid to switch to non-polluting methods. The above-mentioned initiatives provide farmers with monetary assistance to adopt sustainable practices that can benefit both the farmers and the environment. Furthermore, it is necessary to create awareness among farmers regarding such schemes to ensure that they can utilize them effectively to make the transition to environment-friendly farming practices.