Issue, Reasons, and Solutions for Crop Stubble Burning

Source: The post issue, reason, and solution for crop stubble burning has been created, based on the article “Paying farmers to harvest paddy manually could reduce NCR’s pollution” published in “Indian Express” on 26th October 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper3- Environment

Context: The article discusses the Supreme Court’s criticism of the government for not addressing crop stubble burning, which contributes to pollution. It explains why farmers burn stubble and suggests paying them for manual harvesting to reduce pollution. This approach could improve air quality and support rural employment.

For detailed information on Crop Residue Management In India read this article here

Why is stubble burning a problem?

1. Stubble burning is a significant pollution source in Delhi-NCR, contributing 5-30% of the area’s pollution load during certain months.
2. It releases harmful greenhouse gases, impacting air quality and increasing health risks for residents.
3. Burning stubble destroys essential soil nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and potassium, which are crucial for soil health.
4. Soil nutrient loss from burning raises dependency on imported chemical fertilizers, adding to India’s import bill.
5. For instance, earthworms and other beneficial organisms are killed during burning, further degrading soil quality.

For detailed information on Stubble Burning Issue read this article here

Why do farmers burn crop stubble?

1. Shortened Harvesting Window: The Sub-soil Water Conservation Acts in Punjab and Haryana delay paddy sowing until mid-June to conserve groundwater. This shortens the time between paddy harvesting and the next wheat crop, pressuring farmers to clear fields quickly.
2. High Labor Costs: Due to the shorter window, labor demand peaks, making manual harvesting unaffordable for many farmers. This costs around Rs 4,000 per acre.
3. Harvesting Issues: Machines leave about two feet of stubble, which needs to be removed rapidly. Burning is the quickest and cheapest option.
4. Financial Constraints: Farmers cannot easily afford the Rs 4,000 required for manual or alternative stubble management.

For detailed information on reasons that caused the stubble burning read this article here

What should be done?

1. Encourage Manual Harvesting: Governments could pay farmers Rs 4,000 per acre to cover manual harvesting costs. This could be funded partly by MGNREGA.
2. Promote Crop Diversification: Farmers could shift from water-intensive crops like paddy to other crops like coarse cereals and pulses. Legal guarantees for MSP (Minimum Support Price) on these alternative crops can help farmers transition.
3. Support Migrant Labor: Higher wages could attract laborers to Punjab and Haryana, helping manage the manual harvesting process.

For detailed information on Solution for stubble burning read this article here

Question for practice:

Examine the reasons why stubble burning is prevalent among farmers in India and discuss potential solutions to address this issue.