Problematic Stubble Burning- The Rice of the Matter

Context:

• Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has come down heavily on the adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 

About Stubble (parali) Burning:

• It is a method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat from the last week of September to November. 
• It is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of grains, like paddy, wheat, etc. 
• Concern: It is one of the major causes of air pollution in parts of north India, deteriorating the air quality.
  • Along with vehicular emissions, it affects the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital and NCR. 
• Direction by the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court has directed to stop stubble burning and find long-term solutions to this issue.

Measures available for States with Stubble Burning:

• Diversification of Cropping Patterns: By providing subsidies and incentives for farmers to switch from paddy to alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds and millets. 
  • For example, give MSP assurances for lentils and mustard to motivate farmers to grow these instead of paddy.
• Reduce Paddy Procurement: From those farmers burning stubble and blocks where groundwater depletion is high.
  • For instance, reduce procurement in Sangrur district of Punjab which sees rampant stubble burning.
• Reduction of incentives for Paddy: The Food Corporation of India should make it clear that they will not pay more than 3% on top of MSP for any mandi fee and commissions for arhatias. 
• Offer a Support Package: To shift cropping towards nutritious and sustainable options like millets.
  • For example, ensure MSP procurement for crops like jowar, bajra and ragi which have nutrition benefits.
• Diversification of the Public Distribution System (PDS): Diversify PDS beyond rice-wheat focus by supplying millets and pulses.
  • For instance, make millets available through ration shops as done for rice and wheat currently.

Measures that Delhi need to be Focus:

• Adoption of e-Vehicles: Accelerate the transition to electric vehicles through purchase incentives and charging infrastructure.
  • For example, provide subsidies for consumers buying EVs.
• Reduction of Vehicular Emissions: Enforce higher ethanol blending in petrol/diesel like 20% to reduce vehicular emissions.
  • For instance, make 20% blending mandatory at all petrol pumps in Delhi.

Conclusion:

A multi-pronged strategy is needed spanning cropping pattern diversification in neighboring states, sustainable agricultural practices, pollution control in Delhi and air quality monitoring to tackle this complex problem in a comprehensive manner.

News Source: The Indian Express

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