Stubble (parali) burning is a practice used to clear paddy crop residues from fields in preparation for sowing wheat, typically occurring from the last week of September to November, aligning with the end of the southwest monsoon. 

• This process involves setting fire to the straw stubble left behind after harvesting crops like paddy and wheat.

Impacts Of Stubble Burning: Pollution, Soil Fertility, Heat Penetration

• Pollution: Stubble burning emits toxic pollutants in the atmosphere containing harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC). 
• Soil Fertility: Soil becomes less fertile and its nutrients are destroyed when the husk is burned on the ground.
• Heat Penetration: Stubble burning generates heat that penetrates into the soil, causing an increase in erosion, loss of useful microbes and moisture. 
• Water Quality Concerns: Ash and pollutants from burnt fields can contaminate water bodies, harming aquatic life and affecting ecosystems reliant on these water sources.
• Reduced Biodiversity: The intense heat damages soil-dwelling organisms, reducing biodiversity and disrupting critical ecological processes.

WAY FORWARD

• Mechanical Residue Management: Encourage the use of modern farm machinery like straw balers and choppers to process crop residues into mulch or bales, providing an eco-friendly alternative to burning.
• Constructive Use of Stubble: Technologies like the Turbo-Happy Seeder Machine and Bio-Decomposer can facilitate these processes.
• As Animal Feed (Fodder): Agricultural leftovers can be processed into animal feed, though rice stubble requires special treatment due to its high silica content. 

• In southern India, ground rice husk is commonly fed to cattle.

• Composting: Crop leftovers can be composted to produce nutrient-rich compost, enhancing soil fertility. 
• Bran Oil and Ethanol Production: Rice straw can be converted into bran oil and bioethanol. While the conversion to ethanol is complex due to the high lignin content, it offers a renewable fuel source and reduces pollution from stubble burning.
• Biogas Production: Rice straw can be converted into biogas, a renewable energy source, through anaerobic digestion, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and enriching soil with digestate.
• Biofuel Production: Paddy straw can be processed into biofuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and offering an environmentally friendly energy source.
• Chopping and Spreading Straw: Incorporating straw into the soil helps maintain soil health and fertility. Various machinery, such as the Happy Seeder, can assist in this process, promoting sustainable agriculture practices.