To address escalating air pollution, the Environment Ministry has recently doubled fines for farmers who burn crop residue across several northern states. The heightened penalties, now ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000, have been implemented with immediate effect. Despite a slight reduction in the practice this season, over 400,000 incidents of stubble burning have been reported across six states, with Punjab contributing the largest share.
Stubble burning has become a pressing environmental issue, impacting air quality, public health, and climate. This agricultural technique, which involves setting fire to the remaining crop residues after harvest, has been especially prevalent in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Despite various government interventions, stubble burning remains a significant concern due to its deep-rooted socio-economic dimensions.
Meaning of Stubble Burning
Stubble burning refers to the burning of crop residues (stubble) left behind in the fields after harvesting, particularly of rice and wheat. Farmers commonly resort to this practice to clear fields for the next crop season quickly, especially in the context of a narrow sowing window between the harvest of paddy and the sowing of wheat.
Impact of Stubble Burning
Environmental Impact
Air Pollution: Stubble burning releases particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), and other toxic gases. These pollutants exacerbate smog conditions, especially in the National Capital Region (NCR), causing hazardous air quality.
Climate Change: Burning residues also emit greenhouse gases (GHGs), contributing to global warming. The high levels of CO2 and methane add to the already increasing burden of GHG emissions in India.
Soil Degradation: Repeated burning reduces soil fertility by destroying organic matter, beneficial microbes, and nutrients in the soil, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This affects long-term agricultural productivity.
Public Health
Increased air pollution from stubble burning leads to respiratory illnesses, including asthma and bronchitis, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. In NCR, incidents of respiratory distress spike during the stubble burning season, with emergency hospital admissions surging during this time.
Economic Impact
The impact of stubble burning on public health has indirect economic costs. For example, healthcare costs rise due to respiratory illnesses, while reduced productivity due to pollution-related illnesses also impacts economic output. The World Bank estimated that air pollution costs India nearly 8.5% of its GDP annually, and stubble burning is a notable contributor.
Alternatives to Stubble Burning
Crop Residue Management Machines
Happy Seeder: A machine that cuts and lifts paddy straw, sows wheat, and spreads the straw as mulch. It has been widely promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to stubble burning.
Super Straw Management System (SMS): Attached to combine harvesters, SMS chops and spreads stubble, enabling easy soil incorporation.
In-Situ and Ex-Situ Utilization
In-Situ Decomposition: Solutions like PUSA decomposer, a microbial solution developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), helps decompose crop residue within weeks.
Ex-Situ Utilization: Crop residue can be converted into bioenergy, such as pellets or biochar, or used in industries as raw materials. For example, biomass power plants in Punjab utilize crop residue for energy production.
Crop Diversification
Reducing dependency on paddy, which generates high residue, by encouraging crop diversification to less residue-intensive crops (like maize or pulses) can help. However, this requires substantial changes in farmer incentives and market support.
Issues in Current Policy Of Government
Lack of Financial Incentives and Support
While the government offers subsidies for machines like Happy Seeders and Super SMS, the high initial cost, maintenance, and lack of easy access often discourage widespread adoption among small and marginal farmers.
Delayed and Insufficient Implementation
Policies such as the "Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-situ Management of Crop Residue" have faced issues with timely fund disbursement and monitoring. There are also challenges in coordinating with states to ensure consistency in implementation.
Weak Enforcement and Regulatory Mechanisms
Although the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court have directed strict action against stubble burning, enforcement is challenging due to limited resources and the vast spread of farmland. The punitive approach has also led to resentment among farmers, further complicating enforcement.
Limited Farmer Awareness and Participation
Policy success hinges on active participation from farmers. However, inadequate awareness programs and poor on-ground training limit the uptake of alternative technologies and practices.
Emphasis on Coercive Measures Over Incentives
Current government policy has leaned heavily on punitive actions, such as fines and legal restrictions, rather than on incentivizing farmers to adopt alternative methods of crop residue management. This focus on coercive measures often leads to resentment and resistance among farmers, who may feel targeted without receiving adequate support or financial assistance for sustainable alternatives. A more balanced approach, incorporating both incentives and enforcement, could encourage a voluntary shift toward eco-friendly practices.
Farmers’ Perspective and Issues
Economic Constraints
Most farmers rely on stubble burning as a low-cost, quick solution to prepare fields for the next crop. Marginal farmers with limited financial means and small land holdings find it difficult to bear the additional costs of residue management equipment or services.
Incentive Mismatches and Market Limitations
Many farmers rely on paddy due to assured Minimum Support Prices (MSP). Shifting to less water-intensive crops, while environmentally beneficial, poses economic risks in the absence of comparable MSPs and well-developed markets for these crops.
Time Constraints
The short window between paddy harvest and wheat sowing compels farmers to clear the fields swiftly, often making stubble burning the most feasible option within time constraints. Mechanized alternatives can be time-consuming, further pressuring farmers.
Solutions
Enhancing Subsidies and Financial Aid
Expanding subsidies and offering financial assistance for crop residue management equipment, especially to small farmers, can facilitate wider adoption. In addition, crop residue utilization initiatives, such as setting up biomass plants, can generate income for farmers and incentivize sustainable practices.
Promoting Crop Diversification with Market Support
Moving towards less residue-intensive crops like pulses or oilseeds should be accompanied by adequate market linkages, MSPs, and crop insurance to encourage farmers. This would reduce the cultivation of paddy, ultimately decreasing the need for stubble burning.
Creating Farmer Awareness Programs
Effective awareness campaigns and training programs are needed to educate farmers on alternative residue management practices, the benefits of sustainable agriculture, and the adverse effects of stubble burning on their own soil health.
Public-Private Partnerships for Technology Dissemination
Collaborating with private companies to increase the accessibility of residue management equipment at an affordable price can be effective. Leasing services can also be introduced, allowing farmers to rent these machines seasonally at reduced costs.
Improving Policy Coordination and Monitoring
Ensuring consistent policy implementation across states with effective monitoring mechanisms will improve the enforcement of anti-stubble burning initiatives. Further, allocating resources for continuous field inspections and feedback mechanisms from farmers will enhance policy impact.
Conclusion
Addressing stubble burning requires a balanced approach that considers both environmental needs and farmer livelihoods. Sustainable solutions like mechanized alternatives, crop diversification, and enhanced government support can gradually curb this practice. The involvement of stakeholders at all levels—farmers, government, private sector, and civil society—can create a holistic approach toward managing crop residues in an eco-friendly manner. As India moves toward achieving its climate goals, tackling stubble burning is essential for realizing a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for the country.
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