New Delhi, Dec 13 (UNI) The government has taken several steps to stop stubble burning by farmers including promotion of agricultural mechanisation for in-situ management of crop residue in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and Delhi for which a fund of Rs 1151.80 crore has been earmarked.
In addition, the government was promoting alternate method for management of crop residue in compositing and use as fodder which will not only manage stubble but also fetch additional income for farmers.
Stating this at a function to honour winners of ``Waste to Wealth’’ essay competition here on Thursday, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh said effective management of agricultural waste can produce wealth.
The competition was organised on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
``Millions of tonnes of garbage comes from agriculture and agricultural enterprise residues. About 70 percent of the residue is used in industry and as domestic fuel while remaining can be converted into bio fuels as alternate energy. Many studies have shown that bio fuel, bio diesel and bio ethanol can be used as a co-fuel,’’ he said.
The ``Waste to Wealth” competition was organized in three categories: The first category was for class VII to XII students; second was for Graduate and its equivalent students and third was for post-graduate and other research workers in Hindi and English.
The Ministry received a total of 1399 essays in both languages, which were assessed by a three-member expert committee. Twenty-four winners including 13 girls received awards.
UNI GP SHK1646