Explainer: Haryana targets further drop in stubble burning after 39 per cent decline

Haryana has made an impressive improvement in crop residue management, recording a 39 per cent drop in active fire locations (AFLs) during the last paddy season compared to 2023. Despite this achievement, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has set a target to reduce AFLs further by focusing on ten districts that reported the maximum AFLs last year.

How many cases of AFLs were reported in the past four years?

With joint efforts by officials from various departments, stringent action against violating farmers — including red entries in their agricultural records and registration of FIRs — along with the adoption of stubble management practices, Haryana recorded a significant fall in stubble burning cases in 2024. The state registered 1,406 cases in 2024, compared to 2,303 in 2023, 3,661 in 2022, and 6,987 in 2021.

Which districts have been identified as stubble-burning hotspots?

The ten focus districts are Fatehabad, Jind, Kaithal, Ambala, Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Hisar, Yamunanagar, and Sonepat. As per the data from September 15 to November 30, 2024, Fatehabad saw a steep drop from 579 cases in 2023 to 130 in 2024, Jind from 343 to 218, Kaithal from 262 to 194, Ambala from 195 to 99, Sirsa from 188 to 162, Kurukshetra from 154 to 132, Karnal from 126 to 96, Hisar from 111 to 49, Yamunanagar from 98 to 38, and Sonepat from 78 to 70. Rohtak recorded 24 against 71, Palwal 39 against 57, Panipat rose from 25 to 41, and Jhajjar dropped from 20 to 12.

District Collectors have been asked to enforce special measures in red- and yellow-zone villages and major paddy-growing areas, along with intensive micro-level awareness campaigns.

How much subsidy is given by the department for crop residue management?

To address the persistent issue of stubble burning — a major contributor to winter air pollution and smog — the government launched the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme. Under it, farmers adopting in-situ and ex-situ methods of stubble management will receive an incentive of Rs 1,200 per acre, up from Rs 1,000 last season. In addition, subsidies up to 50 per cent are provided for purchasing stubble management machinery, such as straw balers, happy seeders, and paddy straw choppers. Cash awards of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 are given to red- and yellow-zone panchayats, respectively, for achieving zero stubble-burning cases.

What stringent steps are taken by the department to curb stubble burning?

Apart from FIR registration against farmers involved in stubble burning, red entries are made in the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal, which prevents them from selling crops through e-kharid for two consecutive seasons.

What types of machinery are subsidised under the 2025–26 CRM Scheme?

Subsidised equipment includes Super SMS, baling machines, happy seeders, rotary slashers, paddy straw mulchers, hydraulic reversible MB ploughs, zero-till drills, super seeders, surface seeders, reapers/reaper-cum-binders, loaders, and tedder machines. Farmers receive either a 50 per cent subsidy or the approved departmental rate, whichever is lower.

How should applicants apply and what documents are required?

Individual farmers can apply online by August 20 at www.agriharyana.gov.in and must be registered on MFMB for Rabi 2025 or Kharif 2024 crops. Required documents include tractor RC (if applicable), family ID, PAN card, Aadhaar card, self-declaration, bank account details, and caste certificate (for SC farmers).

Are there limits on who can apply and for what?

Only one application per family ID is allowed. Farmers who received subsidies for a specific implementation in the past three years are ineligible to apply again for the same.

How will beneficiaries be selected if applications exceed targets?

Selections will be made by a district-level executive committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner. If applications exceed targets, an online draw will be held in the presence of farmers to select beneficiaries.