What's in it for the farmers or the neighbouring states? And if there is cooperation, then what must be done? Creating a smoke-free zone is the obvious solution. In Delhi, it means banning the burning of any kind, like rubbish, wood fuel and generator diesel. This also means providing alternatives like rubbish collections, cooking gas and good quality 24/7 power. Farmers in neighbouring states should have economically viable alternatives.
In India, 550 million tonnes of crop residue is left on fields, after harvesting and straw removal. Wheat and rice are harvested during Apr-May and Oct-Nov respectively. Crop stubble is burned across India, unknowingly or unconcerned about the impact of smoke, fire and heat on health, visibility, accidents, deaths, environment and soil. Air pollutants and air quality can be measured for a given area of the city. Satellite imagery, like from Nasa's FIRM web fire mapper, can show fire spots (fire burning clusters). Comparison with previous years is done as a monitoring tool. However, air quality measures can be affected by weather, other incidents and changes in cropping pattern.
GOVT MOVES
Rewards, threats and even registration of cases -- nothing seems to work. Reaction from farmers has been to protest, defy, threaten to escalate and demand unreasonable gratification. Punjab will use satellite technology to monitor and pinpoint incidents and farm holdings. Special Taskforce is being raised to identify culprits, register cases and prosecute. The firm action has reduced fire spots on satellite imagery and better air quality is seen in Delhi. Experts have advised caution into reading too much!!
RESEARCH
Adesh Institute (AIMSR) found smoke impacted farmers health and quality of life. 85% in all age categories suffered in some respects. The study shows paddy burning is more widespread; smoke lingers in winter air and drifts further out of the area. Rice and wheat accounted for 85% of cases but sugarcane in Maharashtra also featured. 1/3 of residue globally was burned. Experts suggested that residue should be collected and used as fodder, fuel, ethanol or incorporated back into the soil. Crop burning was a quick economical method of clearing field for a new crop. When States fixed a fine based on farm-acreage, most fines were collected from farms under 5 acres. The heavy-handed approach had failed to convince, but awareness had made a difference.
BROADER STATE RESPONSE
State pollution control board, agriculture department and the districts are keeping a watch over the burning of straw through remote sensing. They have imposed fines on culprits. They have asked farmers to suggest alternatives and offered a subsidy. Centre was asked to assist in raising farmers' awareness. All states petitioned Centre to do much more, by way of subsidy and facilitate procurement of modern residual management machines.
Devinder Sharma, an independent analyst, doesn't see any need for a central subsidy for such steps. "The only solution is that combine harvester manufacturers should make farm machines which enable chopping the plant stem from the base, and bundle the straw like a bailer does."
Punjab govt is to bring 50,000 hectares under summer moong dal, a 60-65 day crop, to sow on wheat residue. The low cut residue (3-4 inch) acts like mulch and helps in early germination. Wheat residue can make fodder but paddy residue lacks fodder value and is problematic to cut. One demonstration to Punjab agency had straw compressed anaerobically and converted into biochar, soil nutrient pellets. Experts are advising planting early maturing (less water guzzling) rice varieties as they leave less residue and give higher incomes.
ZERO TILLING and DSR
Experts are advising farmers to switch to zero tilling and direct seeded rice.
Zero tilling is a low-cost method of planting or rather "drilling" seeds (here wheat seeds into rice stubble) 2-3 inches below ground. Modified Happy seeder combines close cropping and zero tilling and saves time. Zero tilling saves on water and organic content—which it gets from the stubble—and gives higher wheat yields (+ 10%).
In Direct-seeded rice, rice is planted straight into the moistened, wheat-stubble ground, along with weedkillers and fertilizer. No transplanting is required. DSR saves on labour, water (only 1/2 used) and electricity (used for irrigation), and improves yield.
Zero tilling has wider application, as it is a very effective method for sowing without water. Zero tillage was used to introduce a second crop in rabi (after Kharif rice), in water-stressed (or hilly area), where usually only rice could be grown. For example, water-resistant mustard (or pulses) can be successfully grown on rice stubble using zero tilling. Researchers added honey bee colonies to pollinate and generate extra income.
My link - Methanol & second gen ethanol from crop waste
https://arvindagarwal1.blogspot.com/2019/03/niti-aayogs-methanol-conference-shows.html
Delhi's air quality may improve as UP, Haryana, Punjab take steps to discourage stubble burning
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