Punjab govt gives Rs 395 cr subsidy to purchase farm equipments to manage paddy residue

Punjab agriculture department today said it will provide Rs 395 crore subsidy for the purchase of 28,641 farm equipment to manage paddy residue this fiscal.

Subsidy - ranging from 50 per cent to 80 per cent - is being provided to the farmers under the scheme, according to an official spokesperson.

This is part of the Rs 665 crore subsidy announced by the state government for 2018-19 and 2019-20. The remaining amount of Rs 270 crore will be utilised during the next financial year, the spokesperson added.

While around 12,000 machines are being subsidised at 50 per cent for individual farmers, another 5,280 agro-machines are being provided to 514 farmer groups and 16,655 agro-machines to 3,547 Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) at a subsidy of 80 per cent to establish farm machinery banks (FMBs) to be used as Custom Hiring Centres.

The equipments include happy seeder, paddy straw chopper/cutter, mulcher, RMB plough, shrub cutter, zero till drill, super straw management system on combine harvesters, rotary slasher and rotavator, said the spokesperson.

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has asked the agriculture department to ensure timely delivery of these machines to the farmers.

He has also directed formulation of a comprehensive information education communication plan to create awareness among farmers about the ill effects of paddy residue burning.

The awareness campaign should also include training of farmers and demonstration of equipment for In-Situ Crop Residue Management, spokesman said.