Agricultural crop residue burning: Problems, prospects and alternative management practices for maintaining ecological balance

Crop residue burning is becoming increasingly popular in North and Northwest India. has been identified by satellite and ground surveys. Agricultural residues are economically valuable but are normally burned by farmers because of insufficient information on alternative residue management practices and no turnaround time after mechanized harvesting. This practice negatively impacts soil quality, human health and air. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients are lost due to crop waste burning. sulphur, resulting in soil imbalance and reducing productivity. Research shows that intensive rice-wheat farming loses tremendous nitrogen (106,000 tons), phosphate (65,000 tons), and potassium (237,000 tons) through burning of residues. Organic matter is also completely lost, further reducing soil fertility. Off-field impacts are severe air pollution, resulting in respiratory, eye, and skin diseases. agricultural waste, such as bagasse, rice husk, and wheat and paddy corn stover residues, can be managed efficiently by sustainable methods. Various agencies promote the utilization of crop wastes to generate animal feed organic thermal power, mushroom culture, bio-oil, paper, biogas, and soil amendment. Farmers must be informed about the advantages of alternative residue management to deliver sustainable and resilient agriculture. Effective regulations and incentives are necessary to prevent open-air burning and promote environmentally friendly uses. This issue must be resolved to minimize its environmental and health impacts while maximizing soil productivity and farm sustainability in India.