Context: The Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi’ has been extended for the year 2021-22.

• Agricultural mechanization is crucial in agriculture sector as it contributes towards improving the efficiency and effectivity of the inputs used in the crop production thereby also increasing the productivity of crops. 
• This also reduces drudgery associated with various farm operations.

Management of Crop Residues

• In pursuance this, a central sector scheme (100% funded by centre) was launched in 2018 Budget to support the efforts of the governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and the NCT of Delhi to address air pollution.
• It aimed to subsidize the machinery required for in-situ management of crop residue.

Various objectives of the scheme

• Protecting the environment from air pollution and preventing loss of nutrients and soil micro-organisms caused by burning of crop residue;
• Promoting in-situ management of crop residue by retention and incorporation into the soil through the use of appropriate mechanization inputs and
• Creating awareness among stakeholders for effective utilization and management of crop residue

Outcomes of the scheme

• The residue burning events in 2020 in Punjab, Haryana and UP together have reduced by -30% as compared to 2016.
• In Punjab the reduction is -22.7%, Haryana – 63.8% and UP – 52.01%.

Initiatives of Government of India to Promote Farm Mechanization
About Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)’ 

• To boost the farm mechanization in the country, a special dedicated scheme ‘Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)’ has been introduced by Government of India in 2014-15. 
• The scheme aims at ‘reaching the unreached’ by making farm machines accessible and affordable for the small and marginal farmers (SMFs) through establishment of Custom Hiring Centers(CHCs) , creating Hubs for hi-tech & high value farm equipment and Farm Machinery Banks. 
• Distribution of various subsidized agricultural equipment and machines to individual farmer is also one of the activities under the scheme. Purchasing of farm machines for SMFs is not financially feasible therefore custom hiring institution provide for hiring option of machines to SMFs. 
• Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration of machine operations and skill development of farmers and youth and others are also the components of SMAM. 
• The performance testing and certification of machines at designated testing centers located all over the country are ensuring farm machinery qualitatively, effectively and efficiently.