Transforming Stubble Into Solutions: India's Path To Sustainable Farming

India's agricultural landscape is changing dramatically, but one problem still exists: burning crop leftovers, particularly in the regions of Punjab and Haryana, which produce rice. Although this method gives farmers a rapid and economical way to clean up fields after harvest, it has a negative impact on human health, agricultural sustainability, and the environment (the terrible pollution in Delhi serves as a clear reminder). According to a recent Farlense study, burning stubble not only contributes to climate change but also poses serious health hazards, increasing respiratory problems by almost threefold and causing 14.9 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) to be lost each year. When healthcare costs and decreased agricultural output are taken into account, the annual cost to the Indian economy is even more astonishing at over $30 billion. The problem is complicated since stubble burning has deep roots in traditional agricultural methods and is not merely a question of habit. There are significant obstacles to change in the current agricultural residue management techniques, which are frequently expensive and labor-intensive. Because there aren't many good alternatives, many farmers still burn crop residue even though it's widely known to have negative impacts. But creative solutions are starting to appear. In-situ crop residue management, such as mulching and direct-seeded rice (DSR), is one of the most promising approaches. This method improves nutrient retention and lessens the need for chemical fertilizers by allowing crop residues to either decay in the field or be reincorporated into the soil. Additionally, cutting-edge equipment like Happy Seeder and Zero-Till Drill can aid in lowering the labour and time needed for residue management. The Farlense study also calculated the amount of nutrients retained in the soil in regions that used mulching and other residue management techniques. If in-situ crop residue management techniques are used, each ton of paddy straw would retain and incorporate about 11 kg of nitrogen, 4.55 kg of phosphorus, 17.4 kg of potassium, and 200 kg of carbon into the soil. These findings highlight the necessity of managing residues sustainably in order to maintain and improve soil fertility in addition to lowering pollution. Ex-situ management techniques, which entail using crop wastes for different objectives, are also becoming more popular. One method for converting agricultural waste into energy is biomass co-firing. With coordinated efforts and the integration of technology, there is growing hope that the future of Indian agriculture can be both more sustainable and economically viable. At Roots Foundation, we have witnessed how these solutions can make a difference on the ground. Similarly, agricultural residues are increasingly being used to create eco-friendly products like mats, handicrafts, and building materials. For example, rice stubble (parali) is now being used to replace other non-sustainable materials like leather, plastics, or wood in the production of purses, lights, and decorative items. Our crop residue management program, "Project Bhoomi," has been using a variety of sensitization techniques, including the distribution of IEC materials, radio broadcasts, digital media, Nukkad Nataks (street plays), farmers' meetings, and village wall paintings, to increase awareness and support against stubble burning. Additionally, Roots helps farmers connect directly with stubble purchasers and facilitates them simple access to equipment such as Happy Seeder and Balers. Through efficient agricultural residue management, this has effectively assisted in reducing stubble burning in the red and orange zones of the state—regions most impacted by stubble burning—as well as in four districts in Haryana: Fatehabad, Jind, Sonipat, and Hisar. At Roots, farmer empowerment is a fundamental element of our strategy. We make sure that farmers are active participants in changing their agricultural methods rather than only passive beneficiaries of aid by providing them with the necessary information and resources. This change is demonstrated by stories like the one of Sukhbir Singh from Bighana village in Haryana, who overcame his initial reluctance after attending one of our training sessions. In a similar vein, Roots' prompt equipment availability allowed Dayanand from Shahpur Village to control stubble over 250–300 acres. Numerous people have been motivated to emulate these success tales. Another area of emphasis for Roots is using technology to educate farmers. We have connected with thousands of farmers through agricultural apps, websites, and helplines, giving them the resources they require to make wise choices. In order to ensure that farmers can promptly obtain answers to their questions and remain informed about the most recent best practices in crop residue management, we have also created WhatsApp groups and many points of contact at the village level. More than 50,000 farmers have benefited from our efforts over the years, which have also prevented burning on more than 500,000 acres of farmland and promoted economical, environmentally beneficial, and sustainable farming methods. Although the progress is encouraging, a more comprehensive and integrated approach is necessary due to the magnitude of the issue. India's agricultural ecosystem can only become more robust and prosperous in the future if sustainable agriculture, advanced machinery, and extensive farmer education are combined. The author, Ritwik Bahuguna, is Managing Director, Farlense Group and Founder, Roots Foundation and Utkarsha Pathak, Partner, Farlense Group Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.