- Even with capital subsidy, machines like Happy Seeder are not considered economical, as their demand is seasonal. The high cost of the machines and the rising price of diesel put pressure on farmers. For them, stubble burning is a cheaper option. A Happy Seeder machine is priced at Rs 1.5 lakhs. Though the government offers a 50% subsidy on the purchase of Happy Seeders to individual farmers, the machine still remains unaffordable. Also not all tractors are capable of pulling a happy seeder along, only those with a capacity of 65 horsepower would be able to drag an additional device mounted on it.
- Farmers remain sceptical about the efficiency of these machines. They fear the machines will affect productivity and damage the soil. Besides, they feel using machinery is time-consuming.
- The farmers have expressed that the number of machines provided is extremely inadequate.
How can stubble burning problem be solved?
- The equipment has to be supplied quickly and in good numbers. There are reports that subsidized agromachines being provided by the government have not reached many villages and whenever given, the number is too low.
- It is important to find other uses for stubble such as biomass, which may encourage farmers to look for alternative sources of income.
Picture Credit : Google