Harvest to haze: Unraveling the impact of stubble burning

Stubble burning, the deliberate setting fire to crop residues after harvest, is a prevalent agricultural practice in several regions of India, particularly Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. Farmers often adopt this method to quickly clear fields for the next sowing season, especially in intensive cropping systems like rice-wheat. While cost-effective and time-saving in the short term, stubble burning has severe environmental, economic, and health consequences. It releases large amounts of particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O), and toxic pollutants, contributing to poor air quality, smog formation, and respiratory illnesses. The practice also leads to the loss of soil organic matter, depletion of beneficial microorganisms, and long-term decline in soil fertility. Despite existing regulations and penalties, enforcement remains a challenge due to socio-economic constraints faced by farmers. Sustainable alternatives such as in-situ residue management using Happy Seeder, mulching, bio-decomposition, and promoting crop diversification have shown promise in reducing stubble burning. Addressing the issue requires an integrated approach involving technological interventions, farmer incentives, awareness programs, and strong policy support to achieve environmentally sustainable agriculture while safeguarding farmer livelihoods.