5,358 Beneficiaries Get Boost as Punjab Expands Crop Residue Management Scheme

The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has disbursed ₹395 crore as subsidy for the procurement of advanced Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery for the financial year 2025–26. The announcement was made by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian. Sharing details, the minister stated that subsidies ranging from 50 percent to 80 percent have been provided to 5,358 beneficiaries. These include Gram Panchayats, Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), individual farmers, and supply chain stakeholders. The initiative focuses on both in-situ and ex-situ management of crop residue, aiming to eliminate stubble burning while increasing farmers’ income. Elaborating on the distribution framework, Khudian highlighted that 1,151 new Custom Hiring Centres have been set up by 66 cooperative societies across the state to ensure last-mile availability of machinery. The network also includes 1,042 rural entrepreneurs, 28 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and 15 Gram Panchayats, all contributing to improved accessibility, especially for small and marginal farmers. The scheme has also directly benefited 4,181 individual farmers by enabling them to own modern CRM equipment. In addition, 26 paddy supply chains have been established to facilitate the collection and transportation of paddy straw to biomass plants and industrial units, effectively converting agricultural waste into a source of revenue and promoting a circular economy. Khudian emphasized that the ₹395 crore allocation reflects the government’s strong commitment to both the farming community and environmental sustainability. He described the initiative as a long-term investment in soil health, cleaner air, and the state’s agricultural future, supported by comprehensive solutions from machinery access to market linkages. The minister also urged farmers to make optimal use of the machinery to ensure responsible management of crop residue. The impact of these efforts is already visible, as stubble burning incidents declined by 53 percent during the Kharif 2025 season. The number of cases dropped to 5,114 from 10,909 recorded in 2024, marking a significant step toward sustainable agriculture in the state.