Stubble Burning: The Hidden Threat to Soil Fertility and Sustainable Solutions

Each year, as fields are cleared by fire, the unseen damage to soil health becomes deeper, with lasting impact on agriculture. Stubble burning is a common farming practice across the world and a major cause of air pollution. Stubble is the straw residue left after harvesting paddy, wheat, and some other cereal crops. It stays on the field and takes a long time to break down. Stubble makes it difficult to sow seeds for the next crop and disrupts the growth cycle.

Furthermore, it is not edible for humans and is a poor source of fodder for animals. There are other uses for stubble, but they are expensive and most farmers cannot afford them. For farmers, stubble can be a major problem, and burning it often seems like the only practical solution.

Does stubble burning have any benefits?

Farmers get some benefits from burning stubble. It helps in clearing the fields of weeds, pests, and rodents. It can also reduce nitrogen formation. However, the biggest advantage and reason behind stubble burning is economic. Burning stubble is the quickest method to clear the field before starting the next planting season.

Environmental and health risks

Burning stubble releases toxic pollutants into the air, including harmful gases like carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH4), and dangerous compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This practice also harms the soil by burning away valuable nutrients, reducing its fertility.

As Delhi and nearby areas struggle with thick air pollution, senior scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have stated that burning just one tonne of stubble results in the loss of at least 12-13 kg of phosphorus, 35 kg of potassium, and 20 kg of nitrogen from the soil. According to him, among the nutrients in the soil that are destroyed by burning stubble, nitrogen is destroyed, while phosphorus can be replenished to some extent.

While significantly lower than last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's air quality index (AQI) has been increasing since the beginning of November. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, recently, stubble burning is estimated to contribute up to 40% of Delhi's pollution.

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) reports that while Punjab and Haryana are often blamed for stubble burning, recent data shows that farm fires in Rajasthan and Delhi have also significantly increased. Rajasthan recorded 2,060 cases, and Delhi saw 12 incidents, marking the highest numbers since 2020.

A study by Vitull K Gupta, a professor of medicine in Bhatinda, in 2016 found that 84.5% of people were facing health issues because of more smog. The study showed that 76.8% of people had eye irritation, 44.8% had nose irritation, and 45.5% had throat irritation.

Another study conducted by the Institute for Social and Economic Change in Bengaluru suggests that people in rural Punjab spend Rs 7.6 crore annually on medical treatments for diseases linked to stubble burning.

Solutions to the burning problem

Rather than burning the stubble, it can be used in various other ways. Stubble can be processed to create biofuel or used to make particle boards. Rapidly decomposing bio-enzymes are also prevalent in some countries, which convert stubble rapidly into compost and improve soil structure. One affordable microbial bio-enzyme, known as Pusa decomposer, has been created for the agricultural sector in India.

• Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine - One method is the Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine, which can remove the stubble and plant seeds in the cleared area at the same time. The stubble can be spread over the field as a layer of mulch.

• In-situ treatment of stubble- The government is now giving farmers equipment to incorporate the stubble into the soil, so they don’t need to burn it.

• Ex-situ treatment of stubble - Some companies have begun collecting stubble to use for making eco-friendly products, but more efforts are needed in this area to make a bigger impact.

On the other hand, these machines are very expensive and state governments should come forward and provide better subsidies so that farmers can purchase these machines. The government should develop farmer training programs to demonstrate alternative practices and also promote awareness campaigns on environmental and soil-related consequences.

Eco-Friendly Ply from Stubble

Every year, tons of agricultural residue is burnt, filling the air with smoke, but imagine if this waste could be transformed into something useful and sustainable. Eco-friendly ply made from stubble is a revolutionary innovation that transforms agricultural waste into a valuable resource. A leading company has developed a groundbreaking solution by converting rice crop residue into high-quality ply.

Indowud is a company that has developed plywood made from rice husk. By using rice husk instead of wood, this eco-friendly plywood helps save around 20,000 trees each year. This is a crucial step in reducing deforestation and protecting our natural ecosystems. This amazing ply is not only environmentally friendly, but it is also fire-resistant, termite-proof, and water-resistant, making it an excellent option for building and furniture.

The ply is fully recycled, making it an important part of supporting a circular economy and cutting down on waste. By providing farmers with a profitable alternative to stubble burning, this solution helps reduce air pollution and promotes a healthy environment.

The journey from agricultural waste to eco-friendly alternatives opens the door to sustainable possibilities, inviting us to rethink the future of materials. Farmers can adopt all solutions instead of burning stubble and pave the way for a more sustainable future.