Don't burn crop stubble, convert it into biofuel: CM Yogi Adityanath

We are already in talks with companies like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum and are setting up a unit each in Sitapur and Gorakhpur for this: CM LUCKNOW: With air quality over north India deteriorating once again, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to farmers to not burn crop residue but instead use it to increase soil productivity.

The CM announced that the government was exploring the opportunity to convert crop residue into fuel and at some point in future, could even purchase it from farmers.

“Crop stubble can be converted to biofuel. We are already in talks with companies like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum and are setting up a unit each in Sitapur and Gorakhpur for this. Once these are up and running and successful, we will strive to have one or two such units in each district. In coming days we can then purchase crop residue from farmers,” the CM said.

Farm fires in rice producing states of UP, Haryana and Punjab have been identified as a major cause of air pollution. Several cities in UP where air pollution is being monitored have shown extremely high levels of harmful particulate matter.

Addressing farmers during the launch of an e-portal for sugarcane growers on Wednesday, Yogi said burning stubble decreases the productivity of soil and adversely impacts environment.

“I appeal to all farmers that stubble should not be burnt. Instead, if you crush it and use it while turning the soil, it will turn into compost. Use it for anything else but don’t burn it. Burning releases dangerous gases,” he said.

He added that with the government promoting sugarcane production and opening more sugar mills in UP, sugarcane leaves would also be generated as “waste” but instead of being burnt, they could be used for maintaining moisture in the soil for the next sugarcane crop.


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