CHANDIGARH: In an ambitious push to curb air pollution and promote sustainable farming, the Haryana government is planning a comprehensive action plan aimed at achieving zero stubble burning during the 2025 paddy harvesting season. Officials associated with the project claim that the move will not only solidify Haryana’s leadership in ecofriendly agriculture but also significantly reduce hazardous winter air quality levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region. The multipronged strategy relies on a combination of financial incentives, subsidised modern machinery, stringent enforcement, and community-led awareness campaigns. As officials gear up for implementation, the plan reflects the culmination of nearly a decade of policy evolution to address one of northern India’s most pressing environmental challenges. According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Haryana reported just 713 stubble burning cases in Kharif 2024—a steep 29% drop from the previous year, following 2,303 cases in 2023 and 3,661 in 2022. Wheat (Rabi) stubble burning cases during the 2025 Rabi season were also at a four-year low, setting the stage for an optimistic Kharif cycle. The state recorded only 681 farm fires between April 1 and May 4. Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana attributes the progress to a combination of farmer education and government support. “Stubble burning is counterproductive, as it not only strips the soil of fertility but is also harmful to the environment. The state government is determined to provide every necessary resource to help farmers transition to sustainable residue management,” he said. According to the minister, the Nayab Singh Saini government has taken timely measures to address the issue. The government has increased cash incentives for farmers not sowing paddy from Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per acre under the Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana, with Rs 1,200 per acre for stubble management and Rs 4,500 per acre for adopting the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technique. According to the officials, a major pillar of the plan is in-situ stubble management through the use of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines. Since 2018, Haryana has distributed over one lakh such machines to individual farmers and Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), including 9,844 units in 2024 alone. These include Happy Seeders, Rotavators, Mulchers, and Zero Till Seed Drills, all made available at 50–80% subsidies, depending on the farmer category. Currently, 6,794 CHCs operate across the state, offering machinery to small and marginal farmers at affordable rental rates. “These tools have transformed farming practices. They not only prevent burning but also enhance soil health by integrating stubble back into the land,” said Karam Chand, Deputy Director, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department. As per figures, monetary support remains a cornerstone of Haryana’s policy. Under the Haryana Parali Protsahan Yojana 2024–25, farmers are paid Rs 1,000 per acre for managing paddy residue without burning. Over 83,070 farmers registered for this scheme in 2024, covering 7.11 lakh acres. In addition, schemes like Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana have encouraged farmers to diversify away from waterintensive paddy. Under this scheme, 33,712 farmers cultivated 66,181 acres of alternative crops in 2024, earning Rs 7,000 per acre in incentives. Those opting for DSR received Rs 4,000 per acre. From 2020 to 2024, the state disbursed over Rs 223 crore in total incentives to farmers. An additional Rs 139 crore benefited 1.56 lakh farmers for CRM practices across 14 lakh acres, according to a statement made by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier this year. To boost accountability and reward compliance, the government has classified villages into red, yellow, and green zones based on the number of stubble burning incidents. Panchayats that achieve zero burning in red/ yellow zones are eligible for awards of up to Rs 1 lakh. In 2023, several villages in Kaithal, Jind, and Kurukshetra districts earned rewards for community-led efforts.