PUNJAB DISBURSES ₹395-CR SUBSIDY TO 5358 BENEFICIARIES FOR CRM MACHINERY: GURMEET KHUDIAN
*• In-situ and ex-situ focus to empower farmers, panchayats & entrepreneurs in stubble management*
*• Stubble burning cases drop by 53% in Kharif 2025, showcasing scheme's success*
CHANDIGARH, February 25:
In a significant push to make the state stubble-burning free, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has disbursed ₹395 crore for the procurement of modern Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery for the fiscal year 2025-26, announced S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab.
Sharing the details here on Wednesday, S. Khudian stated that the Punjab Government has provided a subsidy ranging from 50% to 80% to 5358 beneficiaries including Gram Panchayats, Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), individuals farmers and supply chains, the dual focus on in-situ and ex-situ management firmly establishes the state's path towards achieving zero stubble burning and enhanced farmer income.
Providing a detailed breakdown, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian outlined the comprehensive distribution network that guarantees machinery reaches the last mile. To ensure affordable access for small and marginal farmers, 1,151 new Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) were established by 66 cooperative societies across the state. This includes 1042 Rural Entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the scheme by driving local enterprise, 28 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) enhancing economies of scale, and 15 Gram Panchayats ensuring community-owned solutions at the village level.
In a major boost to direct ownership, the scheme has also benefited 4181 Individual Farmers, equipping them with modern, efficient CRM machines. Furthermore, in a strategic move to strengthen the industrial value chain, 26 Paddy Supply Chains have been established. These chains aggregated and transported paddy straw to biomass plants and industrial units, effectively turning waste into revenue and building a circular economy.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian emphasised that the unprecedented financial commitment of Rs 395 crore reflects the government's unwavering dedication to the farming community and the environment. He stated that this is not merely a subsidy but an investment in the future of the state, the fertility of the soil, and the air we breathe. The government is providing end-to-end solutions, from machinery availability at the village level to creating robust market linkages for paddy straw.
The Agriculture Minister urged the farming community to leverage this equipment to its maximum potential, ensuring responsible management of paddy straw. This aggressive push under the CRM scheme for 2025-26 is yielding impressive results, as stubble burning incidents dropped by 53% in Kharif season 2025, with cases falling to 5,114 from 10,909 in 2024, setting a new benchmark for agricultural sustainability in the country.