How governmentality exacerbates the problem of farmers’ stubble burning
A new study by researchers Sujit Raghunathrao Jagadale and Javed M. Shaikh at the Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar analyses the problem of stubble burning from the lens of ‘governmentality’ and market failure
In the Indo-Gangetic Plain, a thick layer of pollution engulfs the region come November. As monsoon winds retreat and temperatures drop, particulate matter from various sources becomes trapped, forming an "inversion layer." This phenomenon traps pollutants such as those from vehicles, power plants, and construction dust, preventing them from dissipating.
Stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh exacerbates the issue. The burning of rice chaff, known as stubble, is a cheap and common practice to prepare soil for the upcoming Rabi wheat season. The particulate matter released from this burning adds to the already hazardous air quality in Delhi and other north Indian cities.
The authors of the study, Jagadale and Shaikh, delve into the governmentality and marketing system failure surrounding stubble burning. Their research, published in the Journal of Macromarketing, sheds light on the complex interplay between government policies, market dynamics, and the agricultural practices that contribute to this environmental problem.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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