Chandigarh, Sept. 11 — The Punjab government has introduced an amended Crop Residue Management (CRM) Loan Scheme through cooperative banks, aiming to reduce stubble burning and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the initiative will provide financial assistance for farmers and cooperative societies to acquire modern machinery that helps manage crop residue without resorting to burning. “This scheme reflects our government’s resolve to protect the environment while empowering Punjab’s farming community,” Mann mentioned, adding that cooperative banks will serve as the main channel for implementation.
The scheme, developed under the supervision of Financial Commissioner Cooperation Sumer Singh Gurjar and Registrar of Cooperative Societies Girish Dayalan, seeks to broaden participation from agricultural stakeholders. Officials noted that it is designed not only to check rising air pollution but also to create new opportunities in rural areas through the use of crop residue in cleaner energy generation.
Under the scheme, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (MPCS) will qualify for subsidies covering 80 percent of the machinery cost, with an upper limit of Rs. 24 lakh. These societies are required to contribute 10 percent as margin money. Individual farmers, meanwhile, will receive a 50 percent subsidy and must provide 25 percent of the loan amount.
Authorities said the subsidies and loan structure will allow wider access to advanced crop residue management tools, including balers, shredders, and other machinery critical to reducing residue burning. “The scheme ensures that farmers do not have to bear the full financial burden of costly equipment while making sure crop waste is effectively handled,” Dayalan noted.
The chief minister stressed that crop residue can also be utilized as a resource in bio-energy plants, helping to generate clean power and contribute to Punjab’s green economy. “We are committed to building a sustainable system where agriculture and the environment progress hand in hand,” Mann stated.
The government expects the move to curb seasonal smog across northern India, which has been largely attributed to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. Officials described the initiative as a “landmark decision” that strengthens both farmer welfare and the state’s cooperative network.
