SYLLABUS

GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context: Farmers’ organisations have opposed the proposed Tractor Emission Norms (TREM) Stage V, arguing that the regulations will increase tractor costs and worsen financial pressure on farmers.

More on the News

• An expert committee chaired by agricultural scientist Indra Mani has recommended implementation of Tractor Emission Norms (TREM) Stage V from 1 October 2026.

• Farmer groups urged  Union Agriculture Minister that:

• tractors should not be treated as commercial vehicles.
• stricter norms should apply only to tractors above 70 horsepower, which are mostly used for commercial or industrial purposes.
• reconsider the timeline for implementing these emission standards or to provide subsidies to offset the costs.

• Farmers said most tractors in use will not comply with TREM Stage V and replacing them will increase debt and benefit manufacturers.

• Tractor industry representatives previously requested an exemption for tractors below 50 horsepower from the proposed norms.

• The Minister directed officials to assess actual pollution levels from farm tractors and compare them with other vehicle categories.

Rising Emissions from Diesel Tractors in India 

• The growing use of high-horsepower diesel tractors contribute to 14% of National Greenhouse Gases such as Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Carbon Oxide (CO), from the Agriculture sector in 2019.

• To address rising pollution, India currently enforces Bharat Tractor Emission (TREM) Stage IV norms for agricultural tractors, with further tightening being considered.

Overview of Bharat Trem Emission Norms

• Bharat TREM (Tractor Emission) norms are specific emission standards for agricultural tractors in India.
• Introduced separately from Bharat Stage (BS) norms applicable to road vehicles.
• Aimed at controlling air pollutants like Particulate Matter (PM), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) from diesel tractors.

Evolution of Trem Emission Norms

• Trem Stage I (1999): The First-ever tractor emission norms implemented.
• Trem Stage II (2003): Introduced PM emission limits.
• Trem Stage III (2005): Further tightening of emission standards.

• Trem Stage III A (2010–11):

• Different standards based on engine size (HP category).
• First time stricter norms applied to tractors above 50 HP.

• Trem Stage IV (2023):

• Latest and most stringent stage.
• Applicable to tractors with engine capacity above 50 HP.

• Trem Stage v is about to be launched in 2026.

Source:
The Hindu
Tractor Karvan
Kr Bharat