Trouble in the air

Context: Possible spike in air pollution due to higher incidence of crop residue burning in northern states can exacerbate the prevailing public health crisis.

Concerns related to Stubble burning

• Breaching of the anti-pollution under stubble fire-related components: has led to increase in air pollution in the northern Indian regions.

• These fires have been estimated to cause between 30 and 45% surge in winter air pollution in the National Capital Region and its adjoining areas in the past few years. 

• Flaws in the approach: The basic approach to countering this menace gains only limited success.

• No novel or out-of-the-box solution is on the cards except experimenting with a new microbial biomass decomposer which failed to catch the farmers’ fancy.

• An economic compulsion for the farmers: Most of the eco-friendly means of managing paddy stubble are either cost-intensive (such as the use of machines like happy seeders) or time-consuming (such as biodegradation). 
• Time available for preparing the fields for the next crop is merely 20-30 days.
• Small penalties in case of violations: The fines mooted in the existing anti-pollution laws are mostly less than the cost of removing the stubble manually or mechanically. 

Way Forward

• Transforming the biomass into an economic good that can yield income for the farmers: 

• Promote its use as feedstock or fuel for power plants and other industries.
• It can also be converted into pulp for making paper, cardboard, disposable cutlery.
• Some public- and private-sector companies, including National Thermal Power Corporation, are procuring crop residues for use as fuel, thus converting this waste into wealth. 

• Support Start-ups and other entrepreneurs: Start-ups and other entrepreneurs interested in collecting, processing, and selling the crop residues should get government backing and hand-holding. 

• Incentivise Farmers:  Like Punjab, who had given a premium on the minimum support price for paddy to growers who do not torch their fields.