भाषा:

Haryana farmers are earning Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,000 per acre by selling paddy straw this season instead of burning it, and stubble-burning cases have fallen sharply as a result. According to agriculture department data quoted by the Times of India, 118 burning incidents were reported in Haryana up to 2 November last year, against just 42 this year. The straw is going to Rajasthan, where demand for cattle feed is high. For dairy and livestock farmers, it is also a reminder of how fast the dry fodder market is moving this winter.

Key facts

ItemDetail
Burning incidents in Haryana118 up to 2 November last year; 42 this year (agriculture department data)
Price paid for paddy strawRs 7,000 to Rs 9,000 per acre this year
Minimum price offered by a private buyerRs 7,000 per acre (Raju, Ramrai village storage facility)
Where the straw is goingRajasthan, as feed for camels, goats and other livestock
Cost to grow wheat on one acre (farmer’s estimate)About Rs 5,000: Rs 1,500 fertiliser, Rs 1,500 seed, Rs 2,000 tractor work
Manual paddy harvestingAbout Rs 10,000 per acre in labour; the Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 straw price is generally available on manually harvested fields
Combine harvester chargeAbout Rs 2,500 per acre; private buyers generally do not buy the residue left after combine harvesting

Infographic: Haryana paddy straw earns Rs 7,000-9,000 per acre, burning cases fall from 118 to 42, and what dairy farmers should do

What is happening on the ground

Raju, a private stubble buyer who has set up a large storage site in Ramrai village, told the Times of India that he buys straw straight from farmers at a minimum of Rs 7,000 per acre. He called these the highest paddy straw rates in recent years and said the push comes from Rajasthan, where demand is strong to feed camels, goats and other animals. He added that the trade has given work to hundreds of people, from labourers to tractor owners and loading machine operators.

Birender Bisla, a farmer from Rajthal, said stubble now brings extra income that helps him prepare for the next crop. By his estimate, wheat costs around Rs 5,000 per acre to grow, so the straw price this year more than covers it. Anil Godara, also of Rajthal in Hansi district, said his village has not reported a single burning incident so far, but he pointed out that the better price generally comes with manual harvesting, which costs about Rs 10,000 per acre in labour.

Why burning has fallen

Narender Pal, a quality control inspector with the agriculture department in Jind, confirmed a big drop in burning this season. He credited a mix of reasons: officials present in the fields, strict action against violations, more awareness among farmers, and biogas plants that use paddy straw as raw material. Price is the new factor. When straw sells for good money, burning it means throwing away income.

The gap that remains is the combine harvester. Farmers who need to clear the field quickly for wheat often use combines, and because buyers generally do not take the residue from these fields, some farmers still burn it. That is where the next improvement has to come from.

What it means for dairy and livestock farmers

Paddy straw leaving Haryana for Rajasthan means dry fodder is being traded over long distances. Livestock keepers should expect dry fodder to stay in demand and watch local straw and bhusa prices this winter. Remember also that paddy straw is a poor feed on its own: it is low in protein, high in fibre and hard to digest, so animals that depend mostly on straw need good protein, energy and minerals alongside it. This is general nutrition knowledge, not a claim from the report.

What farmers should do now

  • Book your dry fodder early if you depend on bought straw or bhusa, and compare rates from more than one seller.
  • Do not feed straw alone. Pair it with green fodder, a protein source such as oil cake and a concentrate that suits the animal’s milk yield.
  • Treat and chop straw where you can, so animals waste less and digest it better.
  • Give a mineral mixture every day. Rations heavy in dry fodder often run short of minerals, which shows up as lower milk and weaker fertility.
  • Store straw dry and covered, away from rain and damp, to avoid mould.
  • If you grow paddy, avoid burning. Selling the residue pays, and burning risks action and harms air quality.
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Frequently asked questions

How much are farmers earning from paddy straw in Haryana this year?

The Times of India reports Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,000 per acre, with a private buyer offering a minimum of Rs 7,000 per acre.

Why has stubble burning fallen in Haryana?

The agriculture department official quoted points to field monitoring, strict action, awareness and biogas plants that need paddy straw. Farmers also say the better straw price is a strong reason not to burn.

Can animals live on paddy straw alone?

No. Paddy straw is low in protein and hard to digest. It should be fed with green fodder, a protein source and a mineral mixture.

Source: Times of India, Chandigarh, November 2026. Written by the IMN Pyrophos team in our own words.

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