Stubble Burning

In News

Experts said the Delhi government has to speed up implementation of alternatives to stubble burning.

About

• The centre, facing criticism from farmers protesting against the farm laws, had committed to removing a clause in the Air Commission Bill, 2021 that would penalise farmers for burning stubble, an important contributor to noxious air quality.

Stubble Burning

• Stubble burning is the practice of intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains, such as rice and wheat, have been harvested. 
• The technique was widespread until the 1990s, when governments increasingly restricted its use.
• Stubble burning in northern India has long been a major cause of air pollution, but efforts to stop it fail every year.
• Every year, when winter sets in, Delhi’s air pollution peaks with the air quality index (AQI) often plunging to the ‘severe’ and ‘hazardous’ categories. 
• A recent study cited a direct link between 30 percent of the total Covid deaths in the world and air pollution.

Impact of Stubble Burning

• Stubble burning in northern India has long been a major cause of air pollution.
• It’s more dangerous with Covid-19 ravaging the country as pollution makes people more vulnerable to infection and slows their recovery.
• Burning husk on the ground destroys the nutrients in the soil, making it less fertile.
• Heat generated by stubble burning penetrates into the soil, leading to the loss of moisture and useful microbes.

Alternatives to Stubble Burning

• One such method is using a Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine, which can uproot the stubble and also sow seeds in the area cleared. The stubble can then be used as mulch for the field.
• Another possible alternative is the Pusa bio-decomposer, developed by the scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which turns crop residue to manure in 15-20 days by accelerating the decomposition process.
• In-situ treatment of stubble: The government is currently giving equipment to farmers to mix the stubble back into the soil, so that they do not have to burn it.
• Ex-situ treatment: Under this, some companies have started collecting stubble for their use, but we need more action on this front.
• Changing cropping pattern: It is the deeper and more fundamental solution.
• Subsidise crops other than paddy, the source of most stubble burning. Policy and money should incentivise farmers in the region to plant more fruits and vegetables. India needs more vitamins and protein rather than wheat and rice.” This will create more greenery and since vegetable and fruit crops don’t leave stubble, it’ll bring down the number of open fires.

Way Forward

• Small and marginal farmers need support for adoption of in-situ strategies, to mulch the straw into the soil and not burn it.
• Imposing a fine is not going to work in our socio-economic conditions for curbing stubble burning. We need to focus on alternative solutions.
• Although the government is distributing but everyone is not getting the machines for in-situ management. The government should ensure their availability to everyone.

Source: TH