In the heartland of India’s agricultural landscape, Punjab, a quiet struggle unfolds year after year. The state, renowned as the “Granary of India,” is home to countless farmers who toil relentlessly to feed the nation. However, their lives are intertwined with an issue that grabs headlines annually – stubble burning.
Meeting & interacting with around 450 farmers in Punjab, it became clear that most of them are ensnared in a vicious cycle of debt, and while they don’t want to burn crop residue, circumstances often force their hand. Over the past four months, I travelled across eight districts of Punjab to understand the complex dynamics that lead to this predicament and challenge, the prevailing narrative that unfairly blames these marginalized individuals.
Practice of burning paddy straw residue & Green Revolution
The practice of burning paddy straw residue in India is deeply rooted in the historical backdrop of the Green Revolution. This era marked a push for agricultural advancement, seeking increased productivity via new techniques and technologies. Unfortunately, this agricultural approach brought about adverse effects, such as the unregulated disposal of paddy residue. Widespread pesticide use resulted in the development of insecticide-resistant pests, soil deterioration, and health concerns. Consequently, the burning of paddy residue became a widespread practice, with detrimental consequences for air quality and the environment.
The Green Revolution ushered in a series of difficulties, including the excessive depletion of natural resources, diminishing crop diversity, imbalances in soil health, and unsustainable water utilization. Stubble burning, a practice employed by farmers to prepare fields for new crops, unfortunately emits harmful smoke into the atmosphere. Farmers grapple with various challenges, such as the narrow time frame between paddy harvest and sowing of the next crop, limited awareness regarding the detrimental effects of stubble burning, and the lack of assured procurement at minimum support price for other crops.
Many farmers who resort to stubble burning, express a keen interest in exploring and implementing alternative methods that do not involve burning. They have experimented with options like the Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, Combine Harvester equipped with Super SMS, Pusa Decomposer, and the ex-situ technique of baling. Nevertheless, farmers have encountered several challenges in both in-situ and ex-situ straw management. These obstacles encompass inefficient technologies, insufficient or poorly managed subsidies, and gaps in policies related to water and electricity management. Small and marginal farmers, in particular, face significant hurdles due to the high cost and limited availability of machinery. Additional concerns surrounding the adoption of these stubble management technologies include pest concerns, time-intensive processes, the absence of nearby industries for stubble disposal, and insufficient storage space for straw.
The Vicious Cycle of Debt
Punjab’s farmers are trapped in a web of debt, and it’s a reality that few can escape. The cycle often begins with the need for loans to purchase expensive modern farming equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides. As farming becomes more mechanized, the costs soar, pushing farmers to borrow increasingly larger sums to stay competitive.
The burden of debt is exacerbated by unpredictable weather patterns, crop failures, and fluctuating market prices. It forces farmers into a perpetual struggle to make ends meet, with many barely earning enough to cover their expenses, let alone pay off loans. Consequently, the looming debt becomes an ever-present source of stress and anxiety.
Crop Residue and Stubble Burning
Stubble burning, the practice of setting fire to crop residue left after the harvest, is often portrayed as a major contributor to air pollution and environmental degradation in northern India, particularly in Delhi and its surrounding regions. While it’s true that this practice releases harmful pollutants and exacerbates air quality issues, the blame should not fall solely on the shoulders of farmers.
“Farmers do not have any other options but to burn the stubble. It takes nearly 1.5 months for stubble to decompose if left in the field,” a farmer said. Another said, “When we burn stubble, it is for a maximum of 10-15 days. The smoke that is generated from the industries is round the year.” The third said, “Farmers are willing to give the stubble for free. But no one is willing to take it from the fields…Hence, the only alternative is burning. The factory where the stubble is processed is at a distance of 100 kms away from the village. Hence, the charges to transport the stubble to the industries are very high.”
The Reality Faced by Farmers
The farmers I met in Punjab emphasized their desire to adopt sustainable alternatives to stubble burning. Many are aware of the ecological and health consequences associated with the practice. However, their hands are often tied due to several factors:
1. Lack of Resources: Sustainable alternatives like mechanized residue management require capital investment that most small and marginal farmers simply cannot afford.
2. Time Constraints: The narrow window between crop harvesting and sowing the next crop leaves little time for farmers to implement alternative methods.
3. Government Policies: Despite government subsidies and initiatives, the support often falls short of the comprehensive assistance needed to transition away from stubble burning.
4. Market Pressures: Farmers face immense pressure to maximize their yields to repay debts and support their families. This often takes precedence over environmentally friendly practices.
A farmer elucidates, “Government officials tell us not to burn the crop residue, and say they will buy it from us at the rate of Rs. 1000-1500 per acre. However, no government officials have ever purchased the crop residue from us. Many times, we have sent the residue ourselves by bearing the transportation cost of Rs. 1500 per acre, but we have never received any money.“
The way forward starts with stopping to blame the marginalized
The farmers of Punjab find themselves in a dire predicament, trapped in a cycle of debt and facing the blame for stubble burning. To break this cycle, it’s crucial to understand the systemic issues that contribute to their predicament and to seek comprehensive solutions that empower them to adopt eco-friendly farming practices. Instead of placing sole responsibility on these marginalized individuals, we must recognize the larger forces at play and work collectively towards a more sustainable and equitable agricultural future for Punjab and India as a whole.
It’s easy to point fingers at the farmers for stubble burning, but this approach oversimplifies a multifaceted issue. The blame should extend beyond them to encompass broader systemic problems.
1. Agricultural Policies: Policymakers need to create a conducive environment for sustainable farming practices by providing comprehensive support, including subsidies for modern equipment and incentives for adopting eco-friendly alternatives.
2. Awareness and Education: Initiatives should be in place to educate farmers about the ecological consequences of stubble burning and train them in sustainable farming methods.
3. Collaboration: Government bodies, environmentalists, and farmers should work together to find practical solutions that take into account the financial constraints and time-sensitive nature of agriculture.
(Sanam Sutirath Wazir is a Human Rights Activist)
Featured image is for representational purposes only.