A new conversation is needed on stubble burning

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi has taken action against stubble burning in Punjab, following Delhi's Environment Minister blaming farm fires for the recent increase in air pollution in the capital. Officials in nine districts have received show-cause notices, and 12 districts are warned of personal accountability for enforcement failures.

Crop-residue burning is illegal, with penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000. Despite a decline in farm-fire incidents over the past three years, air quality in Punjab has not seen significant improvement.

The timing of the CAQM's decision is crucial, as it aligns with the peak stubble-burning season. However, a deeper question arises: why do many farmers continue to burn paddy straw despite multiple court orders, enforcement efforts, and policies promoting cleaner alternatives? Studies by ISRO, CEEW, and iFOREST suggest that peak stubble burning now occurs in the late afternoon and evening, as fires lit later may go undetected due to the fixed times of satellite passes over farms.

The CAQM's new portal, which connects satellite data with field-level actions, could help address this issue. Its effectiveness hinges on agriculture officers verifying alerts and reporting violations.

However, lasting progress depends on making paddy straw collection and utilization economically viable. Currently, procurement for industrial use has not expanded sufficiently to provide farmers with reliable markets. In-situ management is costly for small cultivators. A recent CEEW study notes that while farmers are removing straw from their fields, most farmers are not yet earning adequate returns.

This year, unusual weather patterns, including October rainfall, have delayed harvesting and compressed the window for wheat sowing. In a climate of uncertainty for farmers, both ecologically and economically, punitive measures alone will not lead to behavior change. To encourage tangible action, governments must improve access to machinery, establish local collection networks, and secure dependable buyers for paddy straw.

Most importantly, the free supply of electricity for irrigation should end. Having to pay for water may compel Punjab farmers to reduce paddy acreage, which could help address the problem of farm emissions.