Madhya Pradesh's Fight Against Stubble Burning: Urgent Measures Required

Bhopal, April 16 (NationPress) The district administration of Indore has imposed cumulative fines totaling Rs 1.38 lakh on 24 farmers implicated in stubble burning within the Bichauli Hapsi area.

To date, officials have documented 77 instances of stubble burning, with each case supported by Panchnamas (evidence collected on-site in the presence of witnesses).

Similarly, in Katni district, local authorities have filed FIRs (first information reports) against eight farmers for similar violations.

Legal action against the offenders will begin according to the established laws.

Ashish Singh, the Collector of Indore, has instructed officials to remain vigilant and swiftly tackle any violations.

In Katni, eight farmers face charges for breaching the stubble burning ban, with FIRs lodged against them.

In 2024, Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the top state for reported stubble burning incidents in India, overtaking Punjab, which has historically been linked to this issue.

Despite the government's stringent stance against stubble burning, recognizing the environmental and agricultural harm it causes, the state now leads in incidents, leaving wheat cultivators in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh far behind as per ICAR-CREAMS satellite data.

The state has recorded 13,411 incidents compared to just 13 in Punjab. Efforts to discourage this harmful practice are intensifying, with written and video messages urging farmers to avoid burning stubble post-harvest.

A widespread misconception among many in the agricultural community is that this practice not only aids in waste management but also enhances soil fertility for subsequent crops.

District Collectors, including Indore's, have initiated a rigorous campaign to tackle this issue by mandating continuous monitoring and active intervention.

The decree further places the responsibility of preventing stubble burning on the Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) through its Consortium for Research on Agro ecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS), uses satellite technology to monitor stubble burning incidents across the nation.

In 2024 alone, Madhya Pradesh recorded 11,382 cases, surpassing Punjab’s 9,655 incidents. Among districts in Madhya Pradesh, Sheopur leads with 2,508 cases, followed by Sangrur in Punjab with 1,725.

Other districts in Madhya Pradesh, such as Guna, Ashok Nagar, Hoshangabad, Datia, Raisen, and Jabalpur, also rank prominently in the top ten.

A significant change in trends was observed last year: Punjab saw a 300% reduction in stubble fire cases, while Madhya Pradesh experienced an increase of nearly 25%, according to government sources and data.

Recently, Aidal Singh Kansana, the State Minister of Farmers’ Welfare and Agriculture Development, called on farmers to abandon excessive tillage, a practice harmful to soil health.

Instead, he recommended sustainable techniques, such as the ridge-and-furrow method for planting crops like moong beans and integrating stubble into ridges to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

The production of compost from stubble and organic waste was also highlighted as an eco-friendly alternative. Farmers were encouraged to manage stubble from pest- or disease-infected crops and consider using the Happy Seeder, a specialized machine available through the ‘e-Krishi Yantra Anudan’ portal at subsidized rates.

According to Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita (2023), burning wheat stubble is strictly prohibited to protect the environment, public health, and animal welfare.

Violators face legal penalties, which take effect immediately and remain in force until June 12, 2025. The high cost of stubble removal is a significant concern for farmers, approximately 1.25 crore in number, most of whom are marginal farmers.

“Organic carbon is the primary component of soil, vital for maintaining its health and fertility. However, burning stubble destroys organic carbon, negatively affecting the soil’s overall condition. In contrast, practices like zero cultivation encourage organic waste management, allowing it to reintegrate into the soil and enhance its health,” stated NS Sipani, a farmer engaged in agricultural research for several years in Mandsaur district, during an interview with IANS.

He shared his experiences, noting that in Illinois, USA, farmers have cultivated soybeans and maize for over a century without removing stubble, leading to significant improvements in soil fertility.

Long-term experiments further support these practices, emphasizing the need for sustainable methods of managing agricultural residues.

However, he also highlighted the challenges faced by farmers: “Nowadays, most wheat growers use harvesting machines that leave behind large stubble. If not managed correctly, this stubble becomes problematic for subsequent crops. Farmers often refrain from investing additional labor and resources due to high input costs.”

In many areas, hay is used as cattle feed, while stubble can be mechanically integrated into the soil.

“I mechanically incorporate stubble into the field. Over time, this stubble decomposes, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. The government must take proactive steps to support farmers in adopting sustainable practices and provide assistance to ease their burdens,” he added.

Authorities have stressed the harmful effects of stubble burning, including air pollution and the deterioration of soil fertility. To address these issues, the government has implemented various initiatives to promote sustainable alternatives.

However, persistent offenders have prompted direct interventions from the Agriculture, Revenue, and Panchayat Departments. FIRs have also been filed in Katni, Khandwa, Satna, and other districts. Fines for stubble burning vary based on land size, with penalties of Rs 2,500 for holdings up to 2 acres, Rs 5,000 for 2 to 5 acres, and Rs 15,000 for areas exceeding 5 acres.

Authorities remain committed to enforcing these penalties to dissuade future infractions. As wheat harvesting approaches its end in most districts, crop residues are often burned, causing environmental and agricultural damage.

Experts unanimously denounce this as a self-destructive practice and emphasize the importance of effective residue management. Since February, the Agriculture Department has led awareness campaigns, culminating in the “Crop Residue Management Promotion Rath”, which visited numerous village panchayats.

These campaigns concluded last Wednesday, featuring informative sessions led by representatives from the Agriculture, Revenue, and Panchayat Departments.

Farmers were informed about the environmental, agricultural, and financial consequences of stubble burning while receiving technical guidance on sustainable residue management practices.

Through these comprehensive efforts, the administration aims to eliminate stubble burning and promote environmentally-friendly farming techniques.