Burning of paddy crop residue, one of the major causes of air pollution, declined by 41 per cent last year over the 2016 level in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR with the help of a Rs 1,151 crore central scheme, the government said.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) director general Trilochan Mohapatra highlighted the considerable reduction in crop residue burning incidents in 2018 and said the country has demonstrated through coordinated public and private efforts that such challenges can be addressed effectively.

“Through various efforts under the central sector scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanisation for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi’, the paddy residue burning events have reduced by 15 per cent and 41 per cent in 2018 as compared to that in 2017 and 2016, respectively in all these states as per the satellite data,” Mohapatra said.

He expressed confidence that crop burning would further reduce this year.

Mohapatra said more than 4,500 villages in Punjab and Haryana was declared as zero stubble burning villages during 2018 as not a single crop burning incident was reported from these villages during the year.

Stubble burning menace

Air pollution due to crop residue burning in north India causes an estimated economic loss of $30 billion annually and is a leading risk factor of acute respiratory infections, especially among children, according to a study by the US-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Agriculture crop residue burning (ACRB) is widely practised due to political economy issues and lack of alternatives to burning among poor farmers. In Punjab alone, an estimated 44-51 million metric tonnes of residue are burned each year, with rice being the primary source.

Winds carry suspended particles hundreds of kilometres, generating a thick cloud of smog above northern India visible by satellite.

Among different sources of outdoor air pollution, ACRB was responsible for an estimated 66,200 deaths in 2015 in India.

ACRB also deteriorates soil fertility, releases greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and results in the loss of biodiversity.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on December 12, 2015 prohibited agricultural residue burning in any part of the NCT of Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Paddy stubble burning is mainly practised in the Indo-Gangetic plains of  Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to clear the fields for rabi crop sowing. However, as informed by other states, the severities of uncontrolled crop residue burning incidences are not significant.

Central government scheme

In 2018, a central sector scheme for the management of crop residue was launched with the total outgo from the central funds of Rs 1,151.80 crore.

ICAR is implementing the scheme through 60 Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Punjab (22), Haryana (14), Delhi (1) and UP (23).

In this scheme, awareness campaigns were conducted by organising thousands of demonstrations, putting up hoardings, banners and wall paintings all across the states.

More than 2 lakh stakeholders were sensitised during one year. More than 400 hands-on training sessions were organised and 18,000 farmers, tractor owners and machine operators were trained.

Happy seeder and zero tillage

Happy seeder is a tractor-powered machine that cuts and lifts the previous crop, sows wheat into the bare soil, and deposits the straw over the sown area as mulch.

It is attached to a 45-50 horsepower tractor and works with a spreader called the Super Straw Management System (Super SMS). The machine cuts slits in the field, about 4-5 cm deep and drops the seeds for the next crop.

The mulch suppresses weeds, reducing soil evaporation and the need for control measures. Other advantages of using happy seeder, include improved soil health, and enhanced nutrient use efficiency (by 10-15 per cent) and water savings (up to 1.45 million litres per hectare) through reduced evaporation and elimination of pre-sowing irrigation.

The tractor operated zero till seed-cum-fertiliser drill at farmers’ fields can accomplish sowing of wheat crop without any tillage operation. Thus, the machine not only saves tillage costs and energy but also eliminates time on seed bed preparation. The crop yields obtained are at par with farmers’ practice, say reports.

What is the purpose of ICAR?

The ICAR is an autonomous organisation under the department of agricultural research and education, ministry of agriculture and farmers’ welfare. The ICAR has its headquarters in New Delhi.

Formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on July 16, 1929, as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.

The council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture, including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences. With 101 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country, this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.