With the onset of the paddy straw harvesting season in Punjab, the Government of Punjab has taken robust measures to combat and reduce the longstanding issue of stubble burning. Central to these efforts is the efficient implementation of the Government of India's Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme, and in this critical initiative, GDi has emerged as a pivotal partner.
GDi worked closely in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, streamlining the scheme's processes and expediting the scheme's execution at every stage. The ultimate goal is to ensure that essential Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery is readily available to farmers right from the commencement of the harvesting season. One of GDi's most significant contributions has been the preparation of a comprehensive village-wise CRM machine demand gap analysis report based on the 2022 burnt area data and the availability of CRM machines. As a result of this analysis, close to 13,000 villages have been prioritised for machine distribution.
Moreover, an algorithm-based logical model has been introduced and jointly implemented with the Agriculture Department to facilitate the distribution of approximately 24,000 CRM machines across 23 districts. This model marks a significant departure from the previous machinery allocation method which relied on a random draw. The new model ensures that CRM machines are strategically distributed in areas with the highest burnt area and lowest availability of CRM machines. This refined approach optimises the fund utilisation of the scheme and enhances the impact.
GDi's contributions extend beyond machinery distribution. The team has devised a comprehensive strategy aimed at increasing CRM machinery utilisation and micro-mapping paddy straw-consuming industries with available land and baler machines to guarantee adequate storage and straw availability. GDi also succeeded in streamlining operations by eliminating unnecessary steps from the approval process for setting up Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plants. Additionally, GDi is working on engaging District Development Fellows at the district level to efficiently and effectively monitor stubble-related interventions.
To sum it up, GDi's partnership with the Punjab Government is yielding tangible results in the fight against stubble burning. GDi is playing a vital role in supporting the government's endeavour to address the stubble-burning challenge by working hard to implement effective solutions and create a meaningful impact.
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