CHANDIGARH – In order to motivate farmers towards scientific management of paddy straw during upcoming Kharif season, the Punjab Government has decided to provide 40,000 paddy straw management machines to farmers on subsidised rates.
Giving details in this regard, Secretary Agriculture K S Pannu said that the State Government would provide Specialised Equipment for In situ Management of Paddy Straw in the coming kharif on the pattern of last kharif season when 28,000 such equipment’s had been provided in the state. He said that these machines would  be supplied with direct assistance of  Government of India and process for online empanelment of manufacturers had already been started. Farmers could procure machines directly at subsidy of 50% in case of Individual Farmers and 80 % in case of Cooperative Societies and groups, added Pannu.

The Secretary informed that a pre-bid meeting was organised on Tuesday to apprise  the  manufacturers about the procedure and requirements of the tender. Joint Secretary Agriculture Govt of India  Ashwani Kumar while  presiding over the meeting appreciated the efforts of Punjab govt to control straw burning in last kharif by timely providing the quality  machines to farmers  He advised all manufacturers to comply with the technical specifications so as to provide quality equipment to farmers in coming year too.He further asked all manufacturers to undertake training  and demonstration  of each equipment to farmers . Engineers from PAU Ludhiana and officials of Punjab & Haryana Agriculture Department participated besides around 250 manufactures and their representatives took part in the meeting .