Crop burning is a common issue in several regions of the world, which causes issues from both economic and environmental perspectives. Stubble burning is one of the ineffective consequences of the green revolution that started in 1966, amongst several northern Indian states. The modern technology which created turbo-charged crops and high yielding seeds caused a wide amount of paddy production. The inappropriate topography and water level to give water to crops, made the farmers cut the residual by burning them, which became common practice from then on. 

Overview of stubble burning in India

Crop residual (parali) or stubble burning is a common phenomenon in northern India. Farmers burn their extra wheat, sugarcane and paddy which leaves various economic and ecological impacts. On that note, crop burning also produces pollution that causes air pollution in Delhi and the melting of glaciers in the Himalayas. In this regard, the Indian government needs to make strict laws and policies to sustain these crops and make them used for alternative usages. 

Stubble burning meaning  

Stubble farming is defined as crop residual, especially burning wheat stubble intentionally, each year from April to May and October to November. This kind of practice generally occurs in northern Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India as well. Stubble burning also makes soil poisonous, causes air pollution and hampers economic growth as well. 

The reason for stubble burning amongst farmers 

Mechanised harvesting: This generally occurs in the area that practices the ‘combine harvesting’ method as it leaves paddy residuals, which become common practice for crop commercialization, from the green revolution. The mechanised farming caused longer crops than manual harvesting, which encouraged farmers to burn the crops to sow their next crop. Additionally, being unproductive of these residuals, for human and animal usages, farmers tend to burn these extra crops as well. 

Paddy intensification: Paddy procurement after the green revolution expanded from 7.1% in 1973 to 36% in 2013 of cropped area in TE (Triennial Ending). Farmers gain assured income from MSP (Minimum Support Price) and due to high water absorbed paddy, it motivates farmers to burn down the crop residuals.

Conserving groundwater:  Haryana and Punjab enacted laws for protecting their rapidly decreasing groundwater. These forced farmers to delay their transplanting of paddy and nursery sowing. 

Impact of stubble burning 

  • Economical: India is an agriculturally based nation, where the GDP is estimated as 18% in the year 2022. Agriculture is also the largest source of income for 70% of households. The Indian government estimated that on an average 500 million parali is produced every year, which accounts for 70% of the total crop residual, where 34% and 22% comes from rice and paddy. The report also estimates that out of 20 million tonnes of rice residual, 80% is burnt, almost every year in Punjab itself, which causes huge economical loss. 
  • Environmental and ecological: Stubble burning emits almost 149.24 million tonnes of CO2, 0.25 million SOX, 9 million CO, 1.28 million tonnes of particular elements along with 0.07 million tonnes of black carbon. Stubble burning, including industries and vehicle emission, are the causes of foggy winter, low wind speed, and smoggy conditions during October and November. This worsened Delhi’s air category from worst to severe having AQI 500. 
  • Additionally, the heat from the stubble burning elevates the temperature 2-degreeCelsius, which kills fungi and bacteria in fertile soil. In addition, stubble burning damages the presence and quality of topsoil’s microorganisms. Thiscreates the loss of ‘friendly’ pests and bacteria and attracts ‘enemy’ pests which makes crops more prone to non-nutrient and disease. 
  • The government reports mentioned that due to crop burning micronutrients decrease up to 5.5 KG N2,2.3 kg phosphors,1 kg sulphur and 25 kg potassium. In addition, people who are surrounded by areas where stubble burning occurs, have caused eye, throat and nose irritation, wheezing, due to stubble burning. 

Alternative solution for stubble burning 

Law enforcement:previously the UP and Punjab governments have enforced laws such as penalty and jail serving time on stubble burning, but no national policy has been implemented. National policies, establishing schemes and campaigns can reduce stubble burning as well. 

Alternative use: Residual crops can be used for cattle feed, roofing in rural households, compost manure, biomass energy, packing material, mushroom cultivation, fuel, bio-ethanol, paper and industrial production etc. 

Employing agricultural tools:The government can provide subsidies to buy agricultural tools to manage extra crops for farmers. Tools such as Happy seeder, Rotavator, Zero till seed drill, Baler, Paddy straw chopper, reaper binder etc. 

Conclusion

Stubble burning is an ineffective way in agriculture, which can cause harm to the economy as well as agriculture. Government policies, subsidies, campaigns can help farmers to use residual crops for alternative usage.