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UP Farmers Get 100 E-Brushcutters to Stop Stubble Burning

A major project to mitigate stubble burning is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh, approved by both the central and state agriculture ministries. The initiative involves distributing 100 battery-powered E-Brushcutters to selected farmers in Auraiya district. These machines, developed by startup Vikalp, enable near-root paddy harvesting and work with solar threshers to convert crop residue into chopped fodder. The project aims to provide a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to burning farm waste.

Key Points: UP Distributes 100 E-Brushcutters to Curb Stubble Burning

  • 100 E-Brushcutters distributed
  • Converts stubble into fodder
  • Approved by Central & State govts
  • Reduces cultivation costs
  • Pilot in Auraiya district
2 min read

Uttar Pradesh: Farmers to be provided with 100 battery powered E-Brushcutters to mitigate stubble burning

Uttar Pradesh launches a pilot project providing farmers with 100 battery-powered E-Brushcutters and solar threshers to eliminate stubble burning.

"pioneering effort to tackle one of India's most persistent agricultural and environmental challenges - Vikalp statement"

Auraiya, April 15

In a significant step towards addressing the pressing challenge of stubble burning, a large-scale field-level intervention under the project titled "Mitigation of Stubble Burning with Reduction in Cost of Paddy Cultivation by Solar/Electrically Powered Machines" is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh.

The project has been vetted and approved by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, with the start-up Vikalp (Alternative Farmtech Pvt. Ltd.).

The project is being implemented with the active involvement of Vikalp (Alternative Farmtech Pvt. Ltd.), a startup working at the intersection of agriculture, clean energy, and rural livelihoods. Vikalp has designed and deployed climate-smart mechanisation solutions tailored for smallholder farmers, and in translating this project from concept to on-ground execution.

"This project represents a prestigious and pioneering effort to tackle one of India's most persistent agricultural and environmental challenges through a holistic, farmer-centric solution. It is piloting first-of-its-kind battery-powered E-Brushcutters for near-root paddy harvesting, along with solar threshers that convert stubble into chopped fodder--turning farm waste into value," said a statement from Vikalp.

As part of the initiative, a distribution program of 100 Vikalp E-Brushcutters to selected farmers will be held on April 16 in Auraiya district.

"These machines provide an efficient, affordable, and environmentally responsible alternative to residue burning while reducing cultivation costs," the statement from Vikalp said.

The program will be attended by Hemochandra Singh, Chief Guest and former Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Singh will also assess these technologies on the ground and explore similar interventions in the region, where smallholder systems face comparable challenges.

Other dignitaries expected to be present include the Director, Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Joint Director (Farm Machinery/Engineering), Agriculture Department, along with senior officials and stakeholders.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good step, but only 100 machines? UP has lakhs of farmers. The distribution needs to be massive and subsidised heavily for real impact. Hope this pilot leads to a larger scheme under PM-Kisan or something.
R
Rohit P
Battery-powered in rural areas? What about charging infrastructure and power cuts? They should have paired it with the solar thresher idea more strongly. Solar is more reliable for villages. The tech has to be practical for the farmer.
S
Sarah B
As someone living in Delhi, I sincerely hope this works. The annual smog is a health crisis. Turning farm waste into fodder is a brilliant circular economy model. Support for Indian agri-startups is key.
V
Vikram M
The involvement of a startup is encouraging. Our farmers need modern, affordable tech. But the real test is durability and repair service. If the machine breaks after one season, farmers will go back to burning. Service centres are a must.
K
Karthik V
A good beginning. However, I respectfully think the focus should also be on crop diversification. Why are we so stuck on paddy-wheat cycle? Encourage millets, pulses... less water, less residue. Machines are a fix, changing cropping pattern is the solution.

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