The Devastating Effects of Crop Burning in India

arjunkapur

February 24, 2024

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In this blog, I reflect upon my recent visit to India (New Delhi) last winter, where I witnessed the effects of environmental pollution firsthand. During my stay, the AQI Index hovered in the 300-plus range. When I was there, a significant increase in respiratory infections was reported in Delhi. Authorities had banned construction activities altogether, and further plans were being imagined, including potential school closure and odd/even schemes to limit traffic on the streets.   

A big reason for this is the crop-burning practice in India, which is particularly notable during the winter months. Farmers use this inexpensive and efficient method to clear fields of pests and weeds before the planting season. However, it comes at a considerable cost to society as thick smoke travels from the agricultural fields into large urban centers. New Delhi, one of India’s most densely populated capitals, is particularly badly hit as it neighbors Punjab and Haryana, two states with the most crop-burning practices.  

When addressing pollution, it’s crucial to shift the focus beyond typically scrutinized sources of pollution, such as industrial sources, and acknowledge the significant impact of agricultural pollution. As I researched this issue (references listed below), I learned that global estimates show that regulatory practices have released approximately 6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas, making up 10% of the world’s total emissions (Our World In Data). I also found from another source that in 2021, India accounted for about 13% of the global agricultural CO2 emissions (Climate Scorecard). India remains the leader in crop burning, with approximately 23 tonnes of paddy stubble yearly. 

Addressing the challenges of crop burning is critical but also challenging. It requires significant education of farmers, building trust between them and the government, providing accessible alternatives, financial support mechanisms to adopt alternative practices, and investing in advanced crop management and storage technology.

Education must focus on creating awareness among farmers about the long-term impact of crop burning on the country’s future, as farmers must understand the environmental consequences of their actions and be motivated to contribute to a sustainable future. The government and private sector are also pivotal in implementing effective strategies to combat widespread crop burning. They must build trust, create practical alternatives, and provide financial mechanisms.

Considerable attention has been paid in India to this issue, and India’s government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending crop burning shortly. Meetings have been held between the agriculture and environment ministry officials to address the significant pollution issue during winter. During my research, I learned that Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar highlighted the detrimental effects of stubble burning on soil health and fertility, emphasizing efforts to raise awareness that have already reduced burning over the past five years. States have also been instructed to provide crop residue management machinery to farmers before harvest and monitor bio-decomposers’ use. Additionally, the government aims to promote the commercial use of straw from paddy fields as an alternative to burning. Finally, they are beginning to launch contracts with farmers that pay them a certain amount for adequately disposing of stubble. I will talk about this in more detail in an upcoming blog. 

On the legal front, this issue also remains very dynamic. The Supreme Court of India has heard several cases expressing worries over the declining air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and issued multiple directives. The Court also has reaffirmed the need to end stubble burning and guarantee improved air quality for the upcoming winter. These restrictions apply to Punjab and Haryana, where most of the stubble is burnt.

India has a very ambitious goal: to cut its carbon footprint by more than 45 percent, and by 2070, it aims to reach net zero. All the work to significantly impact crop burning will go a long way in India, meeting its long-term objective.  

Sources:

https://www2.purpleair.com/blogs/blog-home/what-to-know-about-india-s-crop-burning-season#:~:text=India’s%20crop%20burning%20season%20usually,rural%20areas%20to%20metropolitan%20cities.

https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector#:~:text=Electricity%20and%20heat%20production%20are,similar%20materials

https://arkansascrops.uada.edu/posts/fertility/residue_burning.aspx#:~:text=Crop%20residue%20burning%20is%20an,residues%20is%20another%20common%20practice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_India#:~:text=Monsoon%20or%20rainy%20season%2C%20lasting,India%20typically%20receives%20more%20rainfall.

https://www.iqair.com/us/india/delhi

https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/india-environmental-technology#:~:text=He%20announced%20that%3A%20India%20will,economy%20by%20more%20than%2045

https://kgghosh1990.medium.com/what-are-the-causes-of-air-pollution-in-delhi-in-points-db5d26a733ba

https://www.metropolisindia.com/blog/prevention-healthcare/delhis-air-quality-understanding-pollution-causes-and-concerns

https://www.climatescorecard.org/2023/03/indias-agriculture-sector-produced-12-7-of-global-agricultural-co2e-emissions-in-2021/#:~:text=India’s%20Agriculture%20Sector%20Produced%2012.7%25%20of%20Global%20Agricultural%20CO2e%20Emissions%20in%202021,-March%2010%2C%202023&text=India%20has%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20agricultural%20sectors%20in%20the%20world.

https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-strives-cut-stubble-burning-zero-curb-pollution-2023-08-04/