Examining the statistics on the management and burning of paddy straw in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab

Introduction

North-India at present finds itself in the midst of a paradoxical situation of prodigious production of rice and wheat (food grains) for meeting the country's food security needs, coexisting with increasing problem of straw disposal. About 85-90 per cent of this paddy straw is burnt in the fields, and to some extent, wheat straw is also being burnt during the rabi harvesting season. Though, the problem of paddy straw burning exists in many states, the scale is larger in Punjab and Haryana. Air pollution not only poses health risks to humans and animals, but it also depletes the top soil layer of essential elements like potassium, sulphur, phosphorus, and nitrogen, rendering the land less fertile and eventually unusable for agriculture (Mandal et al., 2004; Lohan et al., 2018) [8,7] . Farmers often turn to burning rice straw because there's only a short 2-3 week window between harvesting paddy and sowing wheat. This narrow time frame doesn't allow for the lengthy process of clearing the paddy straw from the fields. While wheat straw typically meets the need for dry fodder for cattle, sometimes additional basmati straw is used when necessary. Moreover, fodder crops are grown in ample areas across the state. However, small and marginal farmers face significant challenges because the equipment and labour required to cut, collect, and transport the straw are expensive and often out of their financial reach. Another issue is the high silicon dioxide content in the straw, which makes it difficult to decompose when left in the soil for the next crop. Incorporating the straw into the soil is physically demanding, requiring extra tillage, which in turn increases sowing costs for wheat. Farmers also worry about the potential for diseases or infections being carried into the soil if the straw is ploughed back. On top of this, there's a severe shortage of labour for gathering and storing rice straw, which often pushes farmers to burn it as a quicker, though harmful, solution (Sing et al., 2019) [4,5] . Punjab is known for its rice-wheat farming system and played a crucial role in feeding the nation, contributing nearly a third of the central pool of food grains in 2016-17 (Government of Punjab, 2017) [4,5] . While modern agriculture in the state helped meet food demands, it also brought about some environmental challenges, including a decline in biodiversity, soil fertility, and growing water scarcity (McIntyre et al., 2009; Ramesh et al., 2016) [9,10] . The state's main challenge today is finding ways to boost crop productivity and profitability while addressing the harmful practice of burning agricultural biomass, which leaves behind harmful residues. There is a pressing need for an alternative farming system that is efficient in terms of energy, water, and labour-one that can sustain soil health and the environment while keeping costs low (Jat et al., 2011; Gathala et al., 2011) [3] . Fortunately, there have been advancements in agriculture, such as early-maturing rice varieties like PR121, PR126, and PR127, which help ease the farming process. Additionally, technologies like the Happy Seeder have been developed to prevent residue burning without raising field preparation costs or affecting crop yields. The Happy Seeder works by cutting and lifting rice straw, sowing wheat into the soil, and then spreading the straw as mulch over the sown area. This allows farmers to plant wheat right after harvesting paddy without the need to burn the straw for land preparation (Gupta, 2012) [6] . The economics of wheat production using conventional methods with alternative approaches like rotaseeders, zero tillage, and Happy Seeder. These studies aim to find practical solutions that benefit both farmers and the environment. The economics of wheat farming using different methods of managing paddy straw, focusing on the practices followed by farmers during the 2017-18 season before sowing wheat. The research also aims to assess and compare the costs and returns from various resource conservation technologies used in wheat cultivation. By examining these methods, the study seeks to understand how different approaches impact the overall profitability and sustainability of wheat farming. (Tripathi et al., 2013; Gupta, 2012; Sidhu et al., 2010) [12 ,6 ,11] . This research paper focuses on paddy straw management and burning practices in the villages of Khant, Manpur, Kajouli, Chhoti Rauni, Bari Rauni, and Kotli. The study aims to explore the causes, impacts, and alternative solutions adopted in these villages. It will analyze farmer perceptions, economic constraints, policy interventions, and the effectiveness of existing straw management techniques such as Happy Seeder, bio-decomposition, in-situ incorporation, and straw baling. By examining the ground realities of these villages, this research seeks to provide insights into the challenge's farmers face and the possible strategies for sustainable paddy straw management.

The findings will contribute to policy recommendations and practical solutions to reduce stubble burning while promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Materials and Methodology

This study was conducted to understand the issue of paddy straw burning in the villages of Khant, Manpur, Kajouli, Kotli, Chhoti Rauni, and Bari Rauni in Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar district, Punjab. To gather the necessary data, a questionnaire was developed based on primary sources, and interviews were conducted with 113 farmers. A series of structured sessions were held to create the questionnaire, ensuring it addressed the objectives of the study. The data collection process involved using a systematic questionnaire and conducting in-person, door-to-door interviews. Additionally, personal interviews with senior farmers and residents from nearby villages were also conducted to gather qualitative insights.

Calculations

Results and Discussion Paddy grown by farmer in village

From the data out 113 farmers, only 113 farmers grow paddy in their field. This (table 2) represents that maximum number of farmers in khant ( 22), and minimum number of farmer in Kajouli who grow paddy in their field as shown in (fig 2). This research examines agronomic practices in different villages, revealing that paddy is cultivated by nearly all farmers (100%), with wheat also being predominant (98%). It discusses various crop varieties and cultivation practices in the region (Bhuyan, 2023) [2] .

Paddy straw burning by farmers in different villages

From the data of 113 farmers maximum number of the farmer of Khant ( 9) Burn paddy straw. And least number of farmer of Chhoti Rauni and Kotli (2). Burning of rice straw is responsible for emission of several gases like carbon dioxide (70%), carbon monoxide (7%), methane (0.66%), nitrous oxide (2.09%) which reduces the air quality and has negative impact on human and animal health (Krash, 2018) [13] .

Methods of paddy straw management of different villages

Paddy straw management is very important now a days. From the data of 113 farmers collected from different villages like in mulching as a management Manpur is maximum 38%, minimum Bari rauni 24%, as a fodder management manpur is maximum 48%, as composting kotli is maximum 43%. (Choudhary, 2020) [1] research entitled "Adoption of paddy straw management techniques in selected villages of Sangrur district of Punjab state and gather similar information of straw management.

Availability of bailing machine

From the data of 113 farmers most of the farmers of Chhoti rauni (29%) and Bari Rauni (29%) have maximum no. of percentage of bailing machine. Bailing machine has automatic bale ejection and adjustable bale size. The use of such nonburning techniques to manage straw can have a significantly larger impact on reducing carbon emissions. The one tonne of straw is burnt, 3 kg of particulate matter (PM), 1.46 tonnes of CO 2 , 60 kg of CO, 2 kg of SO 2 and 0.199 tonnes of ash are released (Gupta et al., 2004) [14] . The cost percentages are quite high, ranging from 38% to 46%, suggesting that undertaking projects in these villages is expensive. This could be due to high wages, material costs, or logistical expenses. Limited Equipment Availability: The availability of equipment is notably low, with the highest being just 32%. Villages like Khant and Kotli (27%) face the most significant shortages, making mechanized work more challenging and increasing dependence on manual labour.

Effects of paddy straw burning on soil

From the data of 113 farmers most of the farmer agree in the chhoti rauni village that is 72% and most of the farmer deny in the bari rauni village that is 44%. Most of the farmers are well aware about the ill effect of paddy straw burning on the soil.

References

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