Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday (October 7, 2025) chaired a key meeting in New Delhi to tackle the recurring challenge of stubble burning, a major contributor to air pollution in northern India. The meeting, attended by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and agriculture ministers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, focused on strategies to promote sustainable residue management and curb seasonal pollution ahead of the winter months.
During the meeting, held at Krishi Bhavan, state agriculture ministers presented detailed reports on stubble management measures being implemented in their regions. Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh officials informed that farmers are being actively sensitised about the harmful effects of stubble burning and are being encouraged to adopt alternative solutions. Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana highlighted that financial incentives have played a major role in motivating farmers to shift towards environment-friendly practices.
Commending the states for their efforts, Minister Chouhan stressed the need for “continuous and coordinated” action to ensure long-term impact. He said awareness campaigns must reach the grassroots level and suggested that panchayats and local representatives be more involved in spreading the message. “Public participation is key to success. When people at the village level take ownership, results are faster and more lasting,” he noted.
In a symbolic gesture aimed at setting an example for farmers, Chouhan announced that he would begin direct sowing of wheat on his own farm on October 12, immediately after paddy harvesting. “When farmers see me doing it, they too will be inspired to adopt direct sowing,” he said, adding that the technique not only saves water but also eliminates the need for stubble burning.
Union Minister urged states to promote technologies like rotavators, choppers, bio-decomposers, and mulching equipment for efficient crop residue management. He also directed them to ensure that funds allocated for stubble management are utilised effectively so that machinery availability does not become a challenge. Chouhan further proposed linking bio-CNG and compost units with industries and power plants to create a circular system where crop residue can be reused for energy and industrial purposes.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav lauded the states’ ongoing efforts but called for intensified coordination between the agriculture and environment departments over the next 10 days, when stubble burning peaks in northern India. He emphasised the need to strengthen stubble collection and storage infrastructure to facilitate industrial use, particularly in brick kilns and thermal plants.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi and ICAR Director General Dr. M. L. Jat. Both ministers reiterated that with timely action, awareness, and on-ground monitoring, India can significantly cut down stubble burning incidents and move closer to cleaner air and sustainable farming practices.
आज नई दिल्ली स्थित कृषि भवन में केंद्रीय पर्यावरण मंत्री श्री @byadavbjp जी के साथ पराली प्रबंधन पर एक महत्वपूर्ण बैठक हुई। बैठक में पंजाब, हरियाणा और उत्तर प्रदेश के कृषि मंत्री तथा दिल्ली के पर्यावरण मंत्री वर्चुअली जुड़े।
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) October 7, 2025
पराली प्रबंधन हेतु किसानों में जागरूकता बढ़ाना बहुत… pic.twitter.com/0YhRD3pE4M
