Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired a high-level inter-ministerial meeting in New Delhi to review stubble management measures and discuss long-term solutions to crop residue burning.
During the meeting, held yesterday, Mr Chouhan highlighted the role of active monitoring by the Stubble Protection Force across 70 tehsils in 14 districts of the National Capital Region. He said that stubble burning not only pollutes the environment but also affects the health of Mother Earth, destroying beneficial insects and reducing soil fertility. Mr Chouhan added that states have set ambitious targets for the current year, including the distribution of more than 46 thousand Crop Residue Management machines, the establishment of 910 Custom Hiring Centres, and the development of 141 stubble supply chain projects. He informed that a provision of over 544 crore rupees has been made under the Crop Residue Management scheme for the year 2026-27, out of which the first instalment of more than 272 crore has already been released.
Further, both Ministers reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating the problem of stubble burning through mechanisation, technical innovation, industrial use of stubble, public awareness and coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.
