Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab slashes stubble burning by 53%: Govt
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 3, 2026: The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is taking concrete and sustained steps to promote scientific crop residue management to tackle environmental concerns, improve soil health and enhance farmers’ income, said Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Tuesday.
Addressing a state-level conference organised by ASAR in collaboration with Canopy, the Agriculture Minister said Punjab has successfully transformed the long-standing challenge of paddy stubble into a major ecological and economic opportunity.
Khudian informed that the State has recorded a significant 53 per cent reduction in stubble burning incidents during the Kharif season 2025, with cases dropping to 5,114 from 10,909 in 2024. He attributed this success to the large-scale deployment of subsidised Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery, financial incentives and the promotion of viable alternatives for stubble utilisation.
The Minister further said that Punjab is scientifically managing over 80 per cent of the nearly 20 million tonnes of paddy stubble generated annually through modern in-situ and ex-situ methods, leading to improved soil health. Crop residue is also being utilised in ex-situ applications such as biomass-based power plants, bio-CNG units and bio-ethanol projects, creating new avenues for energy generation and employment. “What was smoke in the past is becoming energy, industry and employment today,” Khudian remarked.
Envisioning greater benefits for farmers, the Agriculture Minister said the conversion of crop residue into fuel, energy and packaging material is generating rural employment and providing livelihood opportunities for youth closer to their homes. “This inclusive and sustainable development is our goal,” he added.
Inviting industries to invest in Punjab’s green and sustainable business ecosystem, Khudian said the State is well-positioned to emerge as India’s first true circular economy region. “By turning stubble into wealth instead of smoke, Punjab is transforming pollution into prosperity and proving that climate action and economic growth can go hand in hand,” he said.