- Haryana Government recently decided to launch a pilot project for a paddy straw-based biomass power project .
- In November 2014 a National Policy for Management of Crop Residue was framed,barring the open burning of crop residue and biomass.
- Institutes like PAU (Punjab agricultural university) have developed machines like happy seeder , and are involved making them more useful by attaching more equipment. But they face issues like lack of awareness about the machines , non-disbursal of subsidies etc
What should be done to curb this practice-
- Need to commercialize paddy straw , as wheat straw is useful farmers have found ways to use it unlike paddy.
- Effective implementation of the law curbing crop burning.
- Need to develop rice varieties that are both rich in grain yield and high in straw quality
- State governments should create massive awareness in crop stubble management.
- Available paddy straw can be effectively used for power generation
- Biomass power plants in Punjab and Haryana need to be increased . Punjab has a biomass power and cogeneration installed capacity of 155.5 MW, of which around 62.5 MW are in operation. In Haryana, the capacity is 45.3 MW.
