As the problem of stubble burning continues to wreak havoc in the northern states of India, the government has introduced a self-declaration form for the management of paddy straw without burning it.
The self-declaration form is mandatory for farmers who wish to receive the financial assistance provided by the government for adopting non-burning methods of straw management. Under this scheme, farmers can avail of a subsidy of up to 50% of the cost of machinery for the management of paddy straw.
To obtain this subsidy, farmers must fill out the self-declaration form, which requires them to provide details such as the size of their landholding, the area under cultivation, and the type of machinery they intend to purchase. The form also requires farmers to declare that they will not burn paddy straw and will use non-burning methods of managing crop residue.
This initiative is a part of the government’s push towards sustainable agriculture and reducing the harmful effects of stubble burning on air quality. In addition to providing financial assistance, the government has also launched various awareness campaigns to educate farmers on the harmful effects of straw burning and the benefits of non-burning methods of managing crop residue.
Non-burning methods of straw management include using machinery such as happy seeders, rotavators, and mulchers to chop and spread the residue back into the soil. This helps in improving soil health, conserving soil moisture, and reducing the cost of fertilizers.
Farmers are also encouraged to use the residue as animal fodder, biomass, or sell it to industries for varied use such as pulp, paper products, and packaging material.
The self-declaration form is a significant step towards reducing the adverse environmental effects of paddy straw burning. It is essential that farmers comply with the government’s mandate to adopt non-burning methods of residue management to protect the environment and promote sustainable agriculture.