Published on 23 Feb 2025
Stubble burning is a practice of removing agricultural waste from the field by setting on fire the straw stubble that is left on the land after harvesting of grains like paddy, wheat etc. Paddy stubble burning is practised mainly in the Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to clear the fields for rabi crop sowing.
Causes of Stubble Burning
Time Crunch: Farmers have a short window to clear fields for the next crop and burning is seen as the fastest method.
Persistence of Traditional practices: Some farmers believe burning replenishes nutrients in the soil, though it's not entirely true.
Labour Shortage: Mechanization and social programs have reduced migrant labour, making stubble removal less economical.
Limited Awareness: Availability and affordability of sustainable stubble management equipment like Happy Seeder are issues.
Economic Disincentive: The cost of managing stubble responsibly outweighs the benefits for some farmers.
How stubble burning causes Air pollution?
Harmful Gas Emissions: Burning releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, methane, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Particulate Matter Spike: Stubble burning significantly increases PM2.5 levels, harming respiratory health.
Toxic Gases: Research shows increased levels of benzene and toluene, further worsening air quality.
Long-Distance Impact: Smoke and ash travel long distances, creating a persistent haze that can reach over 1000 km.
Smog Formation: Smoke combines with other pollutants, leading to smog, reduced visibility, and respiratory issues.
Challenges associated with stubble burning
Hazardous levels severe air pollution: Stubble burning spikes air pollution, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to 'severe' and 'hazardous' levels, causing respiratory problems and impacting public health.
Toxic Smog impact human health: Burning releases harmful gases and carcinogens that form a thick smog, reducing visibility and further jeopardizing health.
Long-Distance Impact: Smoke and ash particles travel far, affecting vast regions beyond the source.
Heat Damage: Intense heat from burning penetrates the soil (up to 400°C for paddy straw), damaging its structure and leading to increased erosion, Loss of vital microbes reduced moisture retention, impacting future agricultural productivity.
Lack Political Will: Governments hesitate to take strict action against farmers, a powerful voting bloc.
Limited Alternatives: Farmers lack viable alternatives due to time constraints, limited awareness of sustainable practices (Happy Seeders, bio-decomposition), and affordability.
Enforcement Issues: Existing penalties for burning are poorly implemented, leading to a rise in burning incidents.
Measures and methods to tackle Stuble burning
Government Initiatives:
National Policy for Management of Crop Residues: This policy promotes in-situ management (soil incorporation, mulching) of crop residue to reduce burning.
Waste to Energy Programme: This program supports setting up projects to generate biogas, bio -CNG, power, and syngas from agricultural residues, creating alternative uses for stubble.
Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization: This initiative subsidizes machinery like Happy Seeders in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and NCT of Delhi to encourage in-situ residue management and address air pollution concerns.
Crop Residue Management Guidelines: These guidelines focus on ex-situ management (collection and utilization) of surplus paddy straw in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Policy Interventions:
Promoting Crop Diversification: Policies encourage cultivating crops with shorter turnaround times (pulses, oilseeds) or less residue (maize) to reduce the amount of stubble generated.
Mandating Sustainable Practices: The Crop Residue Management Guidelines mandate practices like mulching or composting paddy straw, promoting a shift from burning.
Market Development: Policies aim to create markets for using paddy straw in bio-energy production (biogas, bioCNG) or industrial applications, providing economic incentives for alternatives to burning.
Technological Innovations:
Advanced Equipment: Development of affordable and user-friendly stubble management equipment like Happy Seeders, rotavators, balers, and paddy straw choppers is underway to suit different farm sizes.
Bio-Decomposer Technologies: Bio-enzymes like Pusa-bio-decomposer, developed by IARI, are being promoted. These accelerate stubble decomposition, turning it into natural fertilizer within 15-20 days.
Satellite Monitoring: National Remote Sensing Centre satellite imagery is used to identify burning hotspots, enabling targeted enforcement action against violations.
Other measures:
Subsidizing Innovative Farm Technologies: Financial support for Happy Seeders, rotavators, balers, and paddy straw choppers will make them more accessible to farmers.
Promoting New and Improved Seed Varieties: The use of faster-maturing rice and wheat varieties like Pusa Basmati-1509 and PR-126 will be encouraged to reduce the time window for stubble management.
Using Bio-Waste Decomposers: Decomposers containing agricultural micro-organisms will be promoted to improve livestock health through increased Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
Sustainable farm management practices: Exploring measures like biochar production and in-situ management with mechanical intensification can manage residues and control greenhouse gas emissions.
Educating and Empowering Stakeholders: Workshops and training programs will educate farmers about responsible crop residue management and its environmental and financial benefits.
Best Practices: Successful initiatives like using paddy straw pellets in brick kilns (Punjab) and donating residues to cattle sheds (Chattisgarh Gauthans Model) will be replicated.
Geography
AIR POLLUTION
STUBBLE BURNING
Causes of Stubble Burning
How stubble burning causes Air pollution
Challenges associated with stubble burning
Measures and methods to tackle Stuble burning
General Studies Paper 1
Physical Geography