As the winter months envelop north India in a thick, toxic smog, the spotlight once again falls on stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. Despite a 27% reduction in such incidents in Punjab and 37% in Haryana during 2023, the practice continues to plague the region, contributing significantly to air pollution. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) reported that stubble burning accounted for 17.3% of Delhi’s PM 2.5 levels as of November 20, 2024.
While efforts at various levels have shown localized success, experts warn that the persistence of this issue demands sustained and coordinated action across states and stakeholders.
Over the years, state governments have employed a mix of awareness campaigns, monetary incentives, and legal deterrents to curb stubble burning. District-level interventions have also emerged as success stories, with initiatives like those led by Ambala District Collector Vikram Yadav reducing incidents in his district by 80%. Yadav focused on training farmers in sustainable residue management and honoring successful participants, fostering a community-driven approach.
Yet, these efforts remain isolated. Experts argue that the limited scope of such measures prevents their impact from being felt at a regional scale, leaving vast areas still grappling with unchecked stubble burning.
Tech Solutions and Corporate Backing
Technology has emerged as a potential game-changer. Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants, such as those developed by EverEnviro, convert agricultural waste like stubble into renewable fuels and organic manure. According to EverEnviro CEO Mahesh Girdhar, these plants not only provide eco-friendly alternatives to stubble burning but also create jobs and reduce CO2 emissions.
“Each plant processes up to 130 tons of rice straw per day, mitigating roughly 50,000 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually,” Girdhar explained. The bio-CNG produced powers vehicles, while the organic manure enriches soil, offering a circular economy solution that benefits farmers and the environment alike.
The government’s SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) initiative has further bolstered the adoption of CBG technology by providing incentives for setting up such plants.
Scaling Up Solutions
Programs like Deloitte India’s Crop Residue Management (CRM) initiative have also demonstrated the potential for impact. In Karnal’s red zone villages, a 2022 pilot reduced stubble incidents by 70%. Leveraging a multilingual app, Krishi Yantra Sathi, Deloitte matched farmers with necessary machinery, helping manage crop residue efficiently.
Building on this success, the initiative expanded to 666 villages across nine Haryana districts in 2023 and has now ventured into Punjab. The approach combines community engagement, corporate partnerships, and on-ground implementation to achieve results, highlighting the importance of scaling up such efforts across the region.
Government Support and the Road Ahead
The Central Government’s crop residue management scheme, launched in 2018-19, subsidizes machinery costs for farmers, with cooperative societies and custom hiring centers receiving up to 80% assistance. Despite these measures, accessibility and awareness remain key hurdles.
Experts emphasize the need for long-term planning and collaborative efforts that transcend administrative silos. A regional framework involving all affected states is essential to tackle the issue comprehensively.
The fight against stubble burning is as much about environmental sustainability as it is about economic equity. While technological innovations and localized interventions provide hope, only a coordinated approach involving farmers, governments, corporates, and civil society can turn the tide against this recurring challenge.
With the air quality crisis worsening each winter, the stakes for sustainable solutions have never been higher. The time to act is now.
