After the inauguration at the launch event, Gadkari said that the introduction of the CNG tractor would help in reducing the annual fuel cost of the farmers by around 1 lakh. Not only that, but it is also environment friendly as it has minimal content of carbon and other similar pollutants that causes heavy pollution in the air quality. Dharmendra Pradhan, the minister of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas said in a few years the CNG tractors will reach almost 85-90 % of the population.
The Government Aims at Lowering Farming Cost and Increasing Job Opportunities
The launch of the CNG tractors does not aim at providing relief to the farmers from high fuel costs but also create job opportunities in the agricultural sector. “Government is working towards achieving increased income for farmers by lowering costs and creating job opportunities in rural India. The most important benefit for the farmers by this tractor will be to save more than one lakh rupees annually on fuel costs, which will help them to improve their livelihood”, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said in a statement at the launch event.
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“Waste to Wealth” plan
The government is keen on protecting the environment alongside helping the farmers carb their fuel cost by introducing the CNG tractors. They have a “waste to wealth” plan that envisions bettering the environment gradually. On this, Nitin Gadkari said, “It is also part of the Waste to Wealth movement, as stubble (Parali) can be used as a raw material for producing Bio-CNG which will help the farmers to earn more”. Commenting on the environmental-friendly nature of CNG, Gadkari further added, “CNG is a clean fuel, as it has the lowest content of carbon and other pollutants. It is economical as it has zero lead and is non-corrosive, non-dilutive, and non-contaminating which helps in increasing the life of the engine and it requires less regular maintenance”.
CNG Tractor to Reach 85-90% Population in a Few Years
As of now, the inauguration of the CNG tractor may not have more takers but with time, as its benefits come into the light, there will be more takers for the same. And thus, the government plans to reach out to a majority of the population in a few years to cope up with the demand. Dharmendra Pradhan, the minister of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas says, “Energy consumption is going to increase in the country and the renewable energy sources will play an important role in this. PNG and CNG supply will reach 85-90 percent of the population in a few years”.
The Policy Times policy suggestions
- It is a good initiative by the government to bring down the fuel cost spent by the farmers annually. But the efficacy and longevity of such tractors must also be monitored before major production of the same.
- On the other side, the government must focus on protecting the farmers’ rights by allowing the MSP demands. The farmers’ protest in India has become a global outrage and the government must take immediate action for the same.
