[Kurukshetra October 2023 Summary]- Crop Residue Management In India- Challenges and Opportunities- Explained Pointwise

Introduction

Ecologically sustainable and environmentally safe management of crop residue (agricultural waste) is one of the major challenges in India. Harvesting, threshing and primary processing of crops leave behind a variety of plant materials that need safe disposal and recycling. The focus of government in recent times has been on effective management of crop residue.

What is crop residue and what is its utility?

Crop residue are the agricultural waste that are left in the fields after the harvesting and threshing process. Stubbles, stalks, stover, husk, bran, bagasse and molasses are generally classified under the category of crop residue (CR) in the Indian context. These crop residues were once thought to be waste. But these are now regarded as an important natural resource due to their versatile utility.

Utility of crop residue

1.Crop residues are primarily used as bedding material for livestock, animal feed, soil mulching, biogas generation, bio-manure and compost, thatching for rural homes, mushroom cultivation, biomass energy production, fuel for domestic and industrial use.

2.CR can be converted into a variety of value-added products such as papers, boards, eco-panels with the help of innovative technologies.

Crop residue problem in India (explained with Data)

What are the problems caused by unscientific crop residue management?

Listed below are the problems that are caused by unscientific crop residue management in India-

Deterioration of soil health- According to a report from Punjab Agricultural University, every year 0.824 million tonnes of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are lost from the soil due to Crop Residue (CR) burning in agricultural fields. Heat generated from burning of CRs elevates soil temperatures, causing the death of beneficial soil organisms.

Increase in Greenhouse gas emissions- Burning of crop residue releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide gases. These gases are responsible for aggravating the global calamity of climate change.

Deleterious impact on human health- Burning of crop residue releases large amount of particulate matter (PM-2.5 and PM-10). These are carcinogenic in nature and could lead to various airborne or lung diseases.The burning of CRs also puts the lives of milk-producing animals in danger.

Why do farmers resort to unscientific crop residue management like stubble burning?

The reasons for unscientific crop residue management like stubble burning are mentioned below-

Paucity of time- Farmers face paucity of time in clearing the paddy straws from the fields before sowing wheat in the Rabi season. 

False traditional belief- Farmers in this region have a false traditional belief that burning crop residue will restore nutrients back to the soil.

Shortage of on farm labours- In earlier times there was plentiful farm labour which helped farmers with manual harvesting, and no stubble was left in the field. But, of late, an acute shortage of labour prevails due to various socio-economic changes (migration) and employment guarantee schemes like MGNREGA. Hence the farmers find it easier to burn their stubble.

Non affordability and non inclination to invest in modern machines- Many rich farmers are not inclined to invest in modern crop residue management machines like ‘Happy seeder’ ,‘Super SMS attachment’, ‘rotavators‘, ‘superseeder‘ etc. Many small and marginal farmers face affordability issues.

What steps have been taken to prevent unscientific crop residue management in India? 

National Green Tribunal (NGT) order 2015- The order prohibited agricultural residue burning in any part of the NCT of Delhi and the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. Any person or body that violates the directions of NGT has to pay environmental compensation which has to be collected by the concerned State Governments.

Framework of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)- CAQM is a statutory body formed under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021. CAQM has provided a framework to tackle the problem of air pollution due to stubble burning.The State Governments of Punjab, National Capital Region (NCR) States and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have developed detailed monitorable action plans based on this framework.

Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme- This scheme was launched in 2018-19 with a multifaceted strategy. Under this scheme, financial assistance @50% is provided to the farmers for purchase of CRM machines like ‘Happy seeder’ ,‘Super SMS attachment’, ‘rotavators‘, ‘superseeder’ etc. Also financial assistance @80% is provided to cooperative societies, Farmer Producer Organisations and Panchayats for the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres in villages. These centres provide CRM machinery to farmers on rental basis at affordable rates.

Revised Guidelines for ‘off-site’ crop residue management- These guidelines have been issued for the 4 states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. These guidelines aim to facilitate the alternative uses of crop residue and develop a paddy straw supply chain. The supply chain will help in making paddy straw available for various end uses such as power
generation, heat generation, bio-CNG, bio-ethanol production.

What are the alternative methods of crop residue management?

Mentioned below are the alternative methods of crop residue management which can be employed on large scale for effective crop residue management-

Pusa Decomposer Technology – Pusa Decomposer technology has been developed by The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to biologically decompose paddy stubble in the farm. It’s a microbial solution available both in liquid and capsule form for accelerated decomposition of straw.

Biochar usage- Biochar which is a carbon-rich material can be made from left over rice straw. This can be used as a soil-amendment to enhance the soil fertility, carbon storage and water filtration.

Palletisation- Paddy straw can be dried and converted into pellets. These pellets can be mixed along with coal and can be used in thermal power plants and industries as fuel. This can save coal as well as reduce carbon emissions.

Happy Seeder- Happy Seeder, which is a tractor-mounted machine, cuts and lifts rice straw, sows wheat into the bare soil, and deposits the straw over the sown area as mulch. This can be used for stubble management instead of burning the stubble.

What should be the way forward ?

Crop residue management remains a pertinent challenge in India. We must take the following measures to counter this challenge-

Revitalisation of Stubble Management through govt schemes- Schemes like the MGNREGA should be replicated for harvesting and composting stubble burning. This will help in regulation of crop residue management at the ground level.

Use of New and Improved seed varieties- Use of new and improved varieties of rice and wheat crop like Pusa Basmati-1509 and PR-126, mature quickly. The use of these varieties provides more time to the farmers to clear their stubble before the next sowing season.

Replication of Chhattisgarh Innovative Model- Chhattisgarh government has developed an innovative model which involves the setting up of Gauthans. Gauthans are five-acre plots owned by each village where unused stubble or parali is collected through parali daan (people’s donations) and turned into organic fertiliser by mixing cow dung with natural enzymes. This model can be replicated at the national level.

Increasing the Farmer Awareness- Farmers need to be educated and informed about how stubble burning poses a threat to human life as well as the fertility of the soil. They should be encouraged to adopt eco-friendly technologies.