Paddy stubble burning incidents dip by 83% this year so far

Incidents of paddy stubble burning have fallen considerably by 83% between September 15 and October 5, across the country with Haryana and Punjab witnessing a considerable decline as compared to last year, according to Business Standard report on Friday. However, whether the same trend will continue or not, will be watched closely as excessive rains in September have delayed paddy crop harvesting in several major growing states. The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) said that in several areas paddy stubble is still wet.

It also noted that incidents of stubble farming will be fewer this year owing to the increased awareness among farmers and use of decomposers.

In Punjab, the paddy acreage was 2.55% lower than last year until September, while it was higher in all the other states where paddy stubble burning is still rampant.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said that the moisture in the soil is good at prsent, due to late rains, with the bulk of paddy harvesting set to begin in North India around Dussehra. Decomposers and wheat sowing can start from November 15, it added.

Punishing farmers not the solution

According to experts and farmers, the time taken for the stubble to decompose in the field after using the decomposer is unusually high and farmers have a small window to harvest their standing paddy. But, as per the news report newer decomposers take only 20-25 days to decompose the stubble.

The supreme court back in 2019, had directed the UP, Haryana and Punjab governments to grant financial assistance of Rs 100 per quintal to small and marginal farmers. It added that, punishing farmers is not the solution, but equip them with basic facilities and amenities.