IEP Chandigarh
Haryana Transport Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma said that two mobile vans are being run by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare to raise awareness among farmers about crop residue management. The primary goal is to discourage farmers from burning crop residues and encourage them to utilise agricultural machinery to process the residue into the soil.
Minister, Sh .Mool Chand Sharma while flagging off a Crop Residue Management Awareness Van in Sonipat and extended his best wishes for achieving the goal, today.
The Transport Minister said that the mobile vans would traverse villages, reaching out to farmers to educate them about effective crop residue management. The aim is to reduce instances of crop burning and promote the use of agricultural machinery to incorporate residue into the soil, rather than disposing of it through burning.
Sh. Sharma also highlighted that it is prohibited, as per directives from the Supreme Court and both the central and state governments, for any farmer to burn crop residues. Such practices contribute to increased pollution, adversely affecting people’s health, especially those suffering from respiratory ailments.
He informed that the Haryana government is providing an incentive of Rs.1,000 per acre for crop residue management. He urged all farmers to pledge that they would not burn crop residues and would instead benefit from the government’s scheme by managing residue appropriately. He also mentioned that the government is subsidising agricultural machinery for residue management, making the process more accessible.
Additionally, industrial units that require crop residue as a raw material have been encouraged to procure it directly from farmers, promoting sustainable practices and reducing pollution. Both these mobile vans will visit each village in three different phases, disseminating information through leaflets and announcements, effectively raising awareness about crop residue management among farmers.
