Stubble Burning – A Holistic Approach

1. Context

• Supreme Court raised the possibility of prosecuting farmers caught burning crop residue.

• Stubble burning → major cause of seasonal air pollution in Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (Oct–Nov).

• Agricultural waste burning + vehicles + industry + garbage burning + adverse weather = toxic air trapped.

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2. Causes of Stubble Burning

• Agro-economic structure:

  • Short gap (15–20 days) between paddy harvest & rabi sowing → no time for natural decomposition.

  • Costly alternatives to clearing residue (Happy Seeder, mulching machines).

  • Debt-ridden farmers prefer burning as the cheapest option.

• Policy failure:

  • Delay in implementation of crop diversification schemes (away from paddy).

  • Weak enforcement by the Punjab & Haryana governments.

• Governance issues:

  • CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) created in 2020) to coordinate across States.

  • But limited independence & political pressures reduce effectiveness.

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3. Issues with Current Response

• Carrot & stick approach dominates (subsidy + threat of penalty).

• Punjab overstated the reduction in stubble burning; CAQM lacked transparency.

• Judicial suggestions like “jailing farmers” risk alienating farmers without solving structural issues.

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4. Way Forward – Holistic Strategy

(a) Incentives & Alternatives

• Promote Happy Seeder, bio-decomposers, biomass plants → convert stubble to energy.

• Provide financial incentives for residue management.

• Encourage crop diversification (pulses, millets, oilseeds).

(b) Strengthen Institutions

• Empower CAQM to function free of political interference.

• Create transparent monitoring & reporting of farm fires.

• Inter-State cooperation → joint action plan.

(c) Legal & Governance

• Strict enforcement against habitual offenders.

• Penal measures only as a last resort, with support for farmers’ transition.

(d) Awareness & Education

• Farmer sensitisation on long-term soil fertility & health impacts of burning.

• Demonstration of cost-saving from alternatives.

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5. UPSC Takeaway

• Stubble burning is not just an environmental problem but also an agro-economic & governance issue.

• A holistic approach =

  1. Incentives for alternatives,

  2. Transparent & independent regulation,

  3. Crop diversification policies,

  4. Farmer education,
     rather than punitive measures alone.

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✅ Use in Answers: Link to GS III topics – Agricultural practices, Air pollution, Environmental governance, Inter-State bodies (CAQM), Sustainable agriculture.