Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Monday praised the state’s remarkable progress in stubble management, calling it a “new industry” that is changing farmers’ lives and promoting sustainable farming.
Addressing the media, Rana said that under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s leadership, Haryana had become a national example in turning the problem of stubble burning into an opportunity for profit.“Stubble management has become a new industry. Farmers are now earning from crop residue instead of burning it,” Rana said, crediting awareness campaigns, incentives, and new technology for this transformation.
Farmers across Haryana are now using stubble in biofuel plants, animal feed, compost, and paper production—converting what was once an environmental hazard into a steady source of income.The minister said the government has distributed free decomposer wettable powder—one packet per acre—for 75,000 acres in the first phase. The decomposer helps turn crop residue into nutrient-rich compost, improving soil fertility, reducing fungal diseases, and cutting the use of chemical fertilizers by 20–30 per cent.
In addition, 1,882 Happy Seeders and Super Seeders have been given to farmers on subsidy, enabling direct wheat sowing without removing paddy stubble. Rana said that many progressive farmers have reported an increase of 3–5 quintals per acre in wheat yield and substantial savings on urea costs.
To encourage farmers who avoid stubble burning, the government is providing 1,200 per acre to 1.87 lakh farmers covering 16.31 lakh acres, with plans to raise the incentive further. “Stubble should be seen as treasure, not smoke,” Rana remarked, adding that cleaner air and richer soil are replacing the winter smog that once choked Delhi and NCR.
Countering the Opposition’s claims of Minimum Support Price (MSP) lapses, Rana called the allegations “baseless political noise.”“There isn’t a single farmer in Haryana who has been denied MSP. Haryana is the only state where all 24 crops are procured at MSP,” he asserted. He said the Saini government’s MSP policy had become a model for the country, ensuring fair prices for all crops—from paddy and wheat to millets and oilseeds.
So far, around 60 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have been procured this kharif season, with “every single grain purchased at MSP.” Early procurement, better mandi management, and efficient logistics have ensured that even small and weather-affected farmers faced no distress sales, Rana said.“Other states should follow Haryana’s model to solve farmers’ problems overnight,” he added.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, the minister said, “During their rule, farmers were left struggling—without the support they deserved.” Rana also announced a major digital reform to curb fertilizer black marketing. The state has linked fertilizer distribution to the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ (MFMB) portal.“Now, every bag of fertilizer goes directly to the farmer according to their crop details. This transparency ensures there’s no diversion or hoarding,” he explained.
The minister said Haryana currently has adequate fertilizer stocks and assured that “no field in Haryana will remain unsown due to fertilizer shortage.” The government has also launched raids and monitoring drives to prevent black marketing and is encouraging a shift toward natural farming to reduce dependence on chemicals.“The government stands firmly with every farmer. Together, we are building a Haryana where agriculture means prosperity, not pollution,” Rana concluded