Punjab Government Super Straw Management Mandate

The Super Straw Management System (Super-SMS) Mandate is an environmental and agricultural regulation introduced by the Government of Punjab to curb the harmful practice of paddy stubble burning. This mandate makes it compulsory for all combine harvesters operating in the state to be equipped with a Super Straw Management System, ensuring in-field management of crop residue and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Background and Rationale

Punjab, as one of India’s leading paddy-producing states, generates millions of tonnes of crop residue every harvest season. Traditionally, farmers burned leftover straw to clear fields quickly for the next crop, particularly wheat. However, stubble burning contributes massively to air pollution, smog formation, and greenhouse gas emissions, while also degrading soil health and killing beneficial microorganisms.
To combat these challenges, the Punjab Government launched several measures under its “Tandarust Punjab Mission”, one of which was the Super Straw Management System Mandate, introduced around 2018. The regulation seeks to replace stubble burning with mechanised, eco-friendly alternatives that manage straw within the field itself.

Core Provisions of the Mandate

1. Mandatory Use of Super-SMS on Harvesters:
   • All combine harvesters used for paddy harvesting in Punjab are required to be fitted with a functional Super Straw Management System (Super-SMS).
   • The system must be operational and properly maintained; any combine harvester found working without the device is liable for penalties and seizure.
2. Function of the Super-SMS:
   • The Super-SMS attachment chops the standing stubble into small pieces (about 5–10 cm) and spreads it evenly over the field surface immediately after harvesting.
   • This facilitates in-situ management of crop residue, making it easier to sow wheat or other crops directly using implements such as the Happy Seeder or Smart Seeder, without burning the residue.
3. Legal Enforcement:
   • The mandate is enforced under environmental protection laws to prevent air pollution.
   • Combine owners, operators, and contractors are held accountable for compliance.
   • District-level monitoring committees and field officers are authorised to inspect harvesting operations and impose penalties on violators.
4. Prohibition of Paddy Harvesting Without Super-SMS:
   • The operation of a combine harvester without a Super-SMS is banned in Punjab.
   • Local authorities are instructed to ensure that no harvesting is carried out unless the machinery adheres to the mandate.

Objectives of the Mandate

The Punjab Government introduced the Super-SMS Mandate with several interlinked goals:

• To eliminate stubble burning and reduce its contribution to air pollution across Punjab and the National Capital Region.
• To promote sustainable agricultural practices by retaining organic matter in the soil and improving its fertility.
• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning crop residue.
• To facilitate conservation tillage and enhance efficiency in crop rotation.
• To safeguard public health by reducing smog-related respiratory problems.

Implementation Mechanism

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab, in coordination with the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and district administrations, oversees the implementation of the mandate.
Key measures include:

• Monitoring at the field level during the paddy harvest season to ensure all combines are equipped with Super-SMS attachments.
• Registration of machines and contractors, ensuring traceability of equipment used in harvesting operations.
• Awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the environmental and agronomic benefits of in-situ straw management.
• Financial assistance and subsidies under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme to encourage adoption of Super-SMS and other eco-friendly machinery such as Happy Seeder, Rotavator, and Straw Chopper.

Environmental and Agronomic Benefits

The Super-SMS Mandate brings several long-term benefits to Punjab’s environment and agriculture:

1. Reduction in Air Pollution: By preventing field fires, the policy directly reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and particulate matter.
2. Improved Soil Health: Retained crop residue enriches the soil with organic carbon and nutrients, enhancing moisture retention and biological activity.
3. Cost Savings for Farmers: Eliminating the need for burning reduces additional tillage and input costs, while making the next sowing cycle quicker and more efficient.
4. Climate Change Mitigation: By reducing open-field burning, Punjab contributes to India’s broader goals of reducing agricultural emissions.

Support Measures for Farmers

Recognising the cost of compliance, the Punjab Government introduced subsidy schemes to promote the purchase of Super-SMS attachments and other residue management machinery.

• Individual farmers are provided with 50% subsidy, while Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs)—which rent out machinery to small and marginal farmers—receive 80% subsidy.
• The government also facilitates training workshops on the operation and maintenance of Super-SMS and related equipment.

Additionally, under the Central Government’s Crop Residue Management Programme, Punjab receives dedicated funding to expand mechanised residue management and reduce farm fires.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite the progress achieved under the Super-SMS Mandate, the policy faces several challenges:

• High Equipment Costs: Many small farmers rely on rented combines, and hiring Super-SMS-equipped machines may increase operational costs.
• Logistics and Availability: Limited number of Super-SMS-fitted harvesters in certain regions delays timely harvesting.
• Behavioural Change: Some farmers continue burning straw out of habit or convenience, necessitating stronger awareness efforts.
• Enforcement Limitations: Monitoring every harvester during peak harvesting season is challenging for local authorities.

To address these challenges, the government continues to promote community-based solutions, custom-hiring centres, and real-time fire detection systems to identify and prevent illegal burning.

Broader Significance

The Super Straw Management Mandate is a cornerstone of Punjab’s environmental reform and agricultural modernisation strategy. It aligns with national efforts to achieve sustainable farming and reduce pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
The initiative also complements other major programmes such as:

• The Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao Scheme, focusing on water conservation.
• The Tandarust Punjab Mission, promoting overall environmental and public health.
• The Crop Diversification Programme, encouraging a shift from paddy to less water-intensive crops.

Impact and Progress

Since the introduction of the mandate, there has been a significant reduction in open-field burning incidents in several districts. Adoption of Super-SMS attachments, combined with increased use of Happy Seeders, has made residue management more efficient and accessible.
The improved awareness among farmers and continuous monitoring by district administrations have further strengthened the success of this policy, although complete elimination of stubble burning remains an ongoing challenge.