Is there a Case to formally include Straw as an
Agriculture Produce under the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Component
of the ISAM of the MOA, GOI. Dinesh K Kapila
A couple of progressive
farmers from Southern Punjab, who are interested in promoting scientific
farming amongst fellow farmers, of course backed by an entrepreneurial mindset,
have discussed this with me. These progressive farmers were motivated to take
up the cause of minimising the practice of burning straw, specially paddy
straw, post harvesting. Some of them, including their associates, coordinated their
set of actions and initiatives with the
Govt of India programmes in the field and the State Governments of
Punjab and Haryana, as appropriate. In addition they state or rather inform that
they have coordinated with the Associations of Farmers and the Media and the
Universities to drive the process of change.
There are
varied modes of controlling the practice of burning straw, in-situ and ex-situ
plus of course the use of incentives, financial and otherwise. The mode of
direct incentives, preferably financial, with stiff fines for any violations
therafter, is advocated as the preferred option. Alongside, the storage of
straw, both paddy and wheat, in warehouses for storage preferably as blocks of
45 kgs to 55 kgs each is said to be ideal. This is considered the optimal mode along
with direct financial incentives. The
blocks are easier to store and transport than huge bales of straw. This also reduces wastage and the conversion and
thereafter storage into blocks under covered areas such as warehouses as it is stated
to be hygienic, safer and scientific. Some of these farmers state that they have
personally stored straw in the form of blocks at warehouses and it has been a
successful exercise in terms of hygiene, quality aspects, ease of storage and
logistics and has reduced the burning of straw post cultivation in the
operating area.
Incidentally,
it is only pertinent to note that there is a demand for straw as dry fodder
from the states of Rajasthan, HP and JK, all adjoining Punjab (and Haryana). Climate
change and uncertain conditions are also driving demand for dry fodder within
Haryana and Punjab. Farmers can use the straw as dry fodder directly as in
Rajasthan or its quality can be improved at site by varied modes. Farmers at HP
require fodder (dry) particularly through the long winter season.
The Core of
the issue as understood is that the current guidelines of the ISAM for the
warehousing component are such that subsidy is not considered for straw stored scientifically
in warehouses. This is as the classification of Straw as an Agriculture Produce
is not specifically stated as eligible, rather it is stated to be Agriculture
Residue. Now this is the issue for resolving. If we consider broadly, while the
wheat or paddy undergoes processing for consumption, simultaneously the straw
becomes an important input along with green fodder for dairy animals thus
furthering dairy farming and enhancing the incomes of famers. Dry fodder, after
being scientifically stored, can also be sold to processors for conversion inro
briquettes.
The farmers
are certainly building their case as they seek to get straw included as a crop
produce. This could be Straw – be it of Paddy, Wheat, barley etc as to be eligible
for subsidy at par with crop produce when stored at warehouses as per the
stipulated norms as ultimately the farmer is benefitted. This will certainly
benefit the entire value chain as envisaged and specifically stated in the captioned scheme. This could be, it is
a maybe, a major step forward in tackling the burning of straw post cultivation
and thus boost measures to tackle climate change. It could preferably be straw
as blocks but in smaller warehouses it could be straw stored properly and as
per norms to be specified. This does make for a case though it challenges our
mindset and conventional thinking of what is crop produce and could require
inputs of the Agriculture Universities and the IARI too.
These farmers
are also stating that the similar benefits may be extended under the
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme of the GOI also. The farmers state they
have encouraged such efforts in their areas but the major push would come by
the incorporation of the proposed changes. This would encourage many farmers to
adopt the scientific mode of storing straw in covered areas and preferably as
blocks and would strengthen the value chain also. Provided straw as a component
is at par with the harvested crop when stored at warehouses is so specified.
Though
not conventional and certainly challenging our wisdom and knowledge, it does
make for an innovative understanding of the issue.
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