At a time when most farmers and farm organisations in Punjab are seeking financial assistance to manage paddy stubble to prevent burning, a group of small and marginal farmers in Gurdaspur district has shown that collective action can yield sustainable and cost-effective results. By establishing a Custom Hiring Centre (CHC) under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, these farmers have created a model of community-led environmental stewardship to help tackle the state’s persistent stubble-burning problem.The Sahari Custom Hiring Centre — operated by around 250 members of Young Progressive Farmers’ Producer Organisation (FPO), mostly small and marginal from Dhaliwal block in Gurdaspur — manages crop residue for over 150 small and marginal farmers, and hundreds of medium and large-scale cultivators across the region.The focus is on in-situ stubble management — incorporating crop residue back into the soil instead of burning it. This not only prevents air pollution but also improves soil fertility and reduces input costs in the long run.Over the years, the initiative has expanded its reach to handle stubble management across 1,500 acres (2025), up from just 500 acres (2019).The journey of the Sahari CHC began in 2017-18, when a group of young progressive farmers decided to tackle stubble burning head-on. They formed the CHC under their FPO to collectively purchase farm machinery required for CRM. With support from the government’s CRM Scheme, the group accessed an 80 per cent subsidy on machinery, which enabled them to build a fleet of over 50 advanced implements, including Happy Seeders, Super Seeders, Super SMS Combines, Surface Seeders, Rotary MB Ploughs, Mulchers, Cutter/Slashers, Rotavators, and Disc Harrows.“The uniqueness of this initiative lies in its grassroots approach. Unlike big farmers, agribusinesses, or well-funded corporations, the Sahari CHC consists predominantly of small and marginal farmers, many of whom own less than five acres of land,” said Harpal Singh, a farmer from Sahari village, who owns three acres and has been managing his stubble through the CHC for the past eight years.Karamjit Singh, a farmer from Vidhipur village in Gurdaspur, said, “This CHC is teaching farmers that there isn’t much difference in cost whether one sows wheat with or without burning stubble. Over time, we realised that burning is not only harmful but also costlier in the long run than managing stubble properly.”Story continues below this ad“In the state, mostly, it is said that it is difficult for small and marginal farmers to manage stubble as a huge cost is involved in the process, and till the time the government supports, burning is the only solution,” said Palwinder Singh, founder-member and treasurer of the FPO and CHC.“Stubble management is different for sowing different crops after paddy harvesting,” said Palwinder, who owns three acres and takes on lease around 30 acres.“It costs Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 per acre to manage stubble, depending on the crop after paddy,” Palwinder said, adding: “Currently, around 150 small and marginal farmers, with their 300 to 350 acres are directly involved with the CHC.”The CHC’s operational model is both sustainable and financially viable.Story continues below this adExplaining the economics of stubble management in detail, Palwinder said, “For instance, if a farmer harvests paddy with a Super SMS-attached combine harvester, as required under the CRM scheme, without burning the stubble, the cost of harvesting is around Rs 2,200 per acre. If the farmer then sows wheat using a Surface Seeder, Happy Seeder, or Super Seeder, it costs around Rs 800, Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,200 – Rs 2,500 per acre, respectively. Thus, the total expenditure under the CRM in-situ method ranges from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 per acre from harvesting to sowing.”Comparing it with the cost of traditional practices, Palwinder said, “If a farmer uses a simple combine harvester and burns his field before sowing, the cost is Rs 1,800-Rs 2,000 for harvesting and Rs 1,600 for sowing wheat with a tiller — around Rs 3,600 per acre. If he uses a Super Seeder after burning, the cost goes up to Rs 4,200 per acre.”“There is hardly any difference in per-acre expenditure between sowing wheat after burning or without burning. Farmers need to change their minds and think about the environment and soil health,” FPO president Gurvinder Singh Bajwa said.According to Palwinder, farmers who use CRM machinery can save up to 50 per cent on input costs. One of the main advantages is the reduction in fertiliser use.Story continues below this ad“I use only 25 kg of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) per acre compared to over 100 kg used by farmers who burn stubble,” he said, adding, “Organic matter is also increasing with non-burning.”He also pointed out that farmers growing vegetables or sugarcane after paddy harvesting spend about Rs 7,000 per acre on stubble management, including harvesting, and that nearly 95 per cent of Punjab’s farmers sow wheat after paddy. Therefore, the per-acre expenditure for stubble management followed by wheat sowing versus burning is almost the same, making CRM practices not just environmentally beneficial but also economically rational.The environmental benefits of this initiative are profound.“Farmers have reported improved soil texture, better moisture retention, and reduced irrigation costs. The incorporation of stubble enhances the soil’s organic matter, reducing dependency on chemical fertilisers. Over time, this leads to higher yields and improved soil microbial activity. The long-term advantage is clear when crop residue is treated as a resource, not waste, farming becomes both sustainable and profitable,” Bajwa added.“The centre operates primarily during the paddy harvesting and wheat sowing seasons, which last only 30 to 35 days each year. During this period, the group generates an estimated Rs 60 -Rs 70 lakh a month by managing stubble. While a significant portion goes toward maintenance, repairs and transportation, the rest provides a financial cushion for unforeseen expenses,” said Palwinder.Story continues below this adOne of the key reasons behind the CHC’s success is its affordable machinery rental system. Many local farmers who own tractors but not CRM equipment rent implements at low rates, enabling them to manage residue efficiently and avoid the high environmental and social costs of burning.Despite its achievements, the Sahari CHC still faces challenges.Awareness and adoption of in-situ residue management practices remain limited among certain sections of farmers. “Apart from our 150 small and marginal members who have completely stopped burning, others still fluctuate in their commitment,” said Palwinder, acknowledging that behavioural change takes time.To counter this, the CHC team conducts regular outreach programmes and demonstrations to educate farmers on the benefits of CRM. They now serve cultivators within a 120-km radius, and their membership continues to grow each year.There are currently 1000s of small and big CHCs operating in Punjab, and the group’s founders believe that if more such centres replicate their model, Punjab could become stubble-burning-free within a single harvest cycle.Story continues below this adThe leadership remains hopeful that the movement will expand. “The key to success lies in collaboration. Suppose every CHC in Punjab dedicates itself to stubble management. In that case, the region’s agricultural scenario can be transformed,” said FPO general secretary Gurdayal Singh Sollowal, adding that the 80 per cent subsidy under the CRM Scheme was a game-changer, but continuous assistance in the form of training programmes, subsidies, and awareness campaigns is vital to maintain momentum.“The story of this centre, formed by small and marginal farmers, demonstrates how collective action can empower even the smallest cultivators to protect the environment, boost their incomes, and contribute to the future of sustainable agriculture in Punjab,” said Dr Amrik Singh, Joint Director, Punjab Agriculture Department, who motivated these farmers to form this CHC.