Agriculture Ministry has issued an advisory to the state governments to create awareness among the farmers about the harmful effects of straw burning. The ministry, in a release issued in New Delhi yesterday, said, burning of crop residue in the states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan contributes in increasing environmental pollution levels. Recently, National Green Tribunal had directed the Delhi government and these four northern states to take strict measures to deal with the serious biennial threat.
The Agriculture Ministry said, states should facilitate farmers residue management machines and equipment. The State Governments have also been directed that 4 thousand rupees/Hectare can be used from the funds available for demonstration of machines under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization for demonstration of straw management machinery at farmers’ fields. For crop residue management, under Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization, the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare have allocated funds to the four states.