CROP RESIDUES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India has delivered a strong admonishment to Punjab and Haryana for their involvement in crop residue burning.

Crop Residues

• About: Crop residues are materials left on cultivated land after the crop has been harvested.
• Benefits: They have the potential to enhance soil structure, elevate organic matter levels within the soil, decrease evaporation rates, and contribute to carbon dioxide sequestration in the soil.
• Soil Quality Boost: Effective residue management practices enhance soil quality on agricultural lands, yielding numerous benefits.
• Biofuel Potential: Crop residues can serve as a valuable resource for biofuel production, offering sustainable energy solutions.

Crop Residue Management Guidelines

• Guideline revised by: Ministry of Agriculture
• Key features of Guideline: Techno-commercial pilot projects for the Paddy Straw Supply Chain will be established through bilateral agreements between Beneficiaries/Aggregators and Industries.
• The guidelines aim to facilitate the effective ex-situ management of paddy straw generated in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.

Why are Farmers Burning Crop Residues?

• Shorter cropping cycles
• Increased mechanisation of harvesting
• Labour shortage
• No market for crop residue