Why Punjab Continues to Burn Paddy Stubble: Challenges and Success Stories from the Majha Region

Why Punjab Continues to Burn Paddy Stubble: Challenges and Success Stories from the Majha Region

Smoggy skies in Delhi have once again put the spotlight on the issue of #stubbleburning in Punjab. But what has changed since the past year, when post-Kharif farm fires were at a 5-year high??We examine the on-ground situation in Amritsar & Tarn Taran??

Why does stubble burning persist? Our interactions with officials & farmers reveal:

  • crop mix in the region has remained the same
  • there's limited use of available crop residue management (CRM) machines
  • cost of procuring & operating in-situ CRM machines remains high

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However, we encountered effective small-scale solutions, including:

  • a paper mill that can consume upto 1,500 metric tonnes of paddy residue
  • the local herder community's use of paddy residue for fodder?

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But these ex-situ solutions have limited impact due to their small scale of operation. While in-situ and ex-situ CRM options present short & medium-term solutions, some farmers also started cultivating alternate crops to break away from the paddy-wheat monoculture.

Has crop diversification affected stubble burning?

  • Punjab’s announcement of procuring summer moong could reduce reliance on paddy. However, much of the moong was not procured by the government agencies.
  • Horticulture farmers also feel a lack of policy support.

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Despite the challenges, local successes are providing inspiration! Gurbachan Singh from a village in Tarn Taran uses environment friendly short-duration varieties of paddy & Happy Seeder for crop residue management.

He has also persuaded 40 farmers to stop stubble burning!

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Read more in our new blog, "Why Punjab Continues to Burn Paddy Stubble: Challenges and Success Stories from the Majha region" by Srish Prakash and Ramandeep Singh .

??https://www.ceew.in/blogs/how-punjab-farmers-are-curbing-paddy-stubble-burning

Sumit Sharma ????

Programs & Communication | Networking & Partnerships | Brand Communications & PR | Ex EESL [Ministry of Power] | Energy Efficiency National Programs | Sustainable Built Environment & Ecosystem | Stakeholder Management

2 年

Because leadership is worst ever here in Delhi and there in Punjab

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