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{{short description|Agricultural practice}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
[[File:Stubble burning in North Essex - geograph.org.uk - 1448777.jpg|thumb|Stubble burning in [[Essex]], [[England]] in 1986]]
'''Stubble burning''' is the practice of intentionally setting fire to the straw [[crop residue|stubble]] that remains after grains, such as rice and wheat, have been harvested. The technique is still widespread today.

==Effects==
[[File:Fires observed in the United States From July 2002 through July 2011.ogv|thumb|This visualization shows fires detected in the United States from July 2002 through July 2011. Fires that reliably burn each year in western states and across the Southeast are likely to be deliberate.]]

The burning of stubble has both positive and negative consequences.

===Generally helpful effects===
* Cheaper and easier than other removal methods
* Helps to combat pests and weeds
* Can reduce nitrogen tie-up<ref name="vicgovau">{{cite web|title=Grains and Other Crops» Crop Production» Stubble Burning |url=http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/grains-and-other-crops/crop-production/stubble-burning}}</ref>

===Generally harmful effects===
* Loss of nutrients
* Pollution from smoke.<ref>{{Cite journal |pmid = 21615081|year = 2011|last1 = Zhang|first1 = H.|last2 = Hu|first2 = D.|last3 = Chen|first3 = J.|last4 = Ye|first4 = X.|last5 = Wang|first5 = S. X.|last6 = Hao|first6 = J. M.|last7 = Wang|first7 = L.|last8 = Zhang|first8 = R.|last9 = An|first9 = Z.|title = Particle size distribution and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emissions from agricultural crop residue burning|journal = Environmental Science & Technology|volume = 45|issue = 13|pages = 5477–82|doi = 10.1021/es1037904|bibcode = 2011EnST...45.5477Z}}</ref> Including [[greenhouse gases]] and others that damage the ozone layer
* Damage to electrical and electronic equipment from floating threads of conductive waste
* Risk of fires spreading out of control<ref name="mailtimes">{{cite news|last=Ellison|first=Amelia|title=Stubble burns cause headache for firebrigades|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/976274/stubble-burns-cause-headaches-for-fire-brigades/|access-date=24 August 2013|newspaper=The Wimmera Mail Times|date=24 August 2013}}</ref>

===Alternative to stubble burning===
Agriculture residues can have other uses, such as in [[particle board]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ferrandez-Garcia |last2=García-Ortuño |last3=Ferrández García |last4=Ferrández-Villena |last5=Ferrandez-Garcia |title=Fire-resistance, physical, and mechanical characterization of binderless rice straw particleboards |journal=BioResources |date=28 September 2017 |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=8539–8549 |doi=10.15376/biores.12.4.8539-8549 |url=https://bioresources.cnr.ncsu.edu/resources/fire-resistance-physical-and-mechanical-characterization-of-binderless-rice-straw-particleboards/ |access-date=1 December 2020|doi-access=free }}</ref> and [[biofuel]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andrews|first=Susan S.|date=February 22, 2006|title=Crop Residue Removal for Biomass Energy Production: Effects on Soils and Recommendations|url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/16/nrcs143_019400.pdf|access-date=January 3, 2021|website=[[Natural Resources Conservation Service]]|publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]]}}</ref> though these uses can still cause problems like erosion and [[nutrient depletion|nutrient loss]].

Spraying an enzyme, which decomposes the stubble into useful fertiliser, improves the soil, avoids air pollution and prevents carbon dioxide emissions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Kamali Dehghan|first=Saeed|date=2021-12-10|title=Burning issue: how enzymes could end India's problem with stubble|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/dec/10/burning-issue-how-enzymes-could-end-indias-problem-with-stubble|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-11|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

Several companies worldwide use leftover [[agricultural waste]] to make new products. Agricultural waste can serve as raw materials for new applications, such as paper and board,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Innovation: paper made from agricultural waste up to 100% |url=https://paperwise.eu/en/innovation/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=PaperWise}}</ref> bio-based oils,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Technology |url=https://vertoro.com/technology/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=Vertoro}}</ref> leather,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction |url=https://fruitleather.nl/introduction-2/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=Fruitleather Rotterdam}}</ref> catering disposables,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wheat Straw Clamshells |url=https://www.ecoproducts.com/wheat-straw-clamshells.html |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=Eco Products}}</ref> fuel<ref>{{Cite web |title=Valio and St1 joint venture, Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, ready to increase domestic biogas production |url=https://www.valio.com/news/valio-and-st1-joint-venture-suomen-lantakaasu-oy-ready-to-increase-domestic-biogas-production/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=Valio}}</ref> and plastic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2022 |title=Technology |url=https://plasticfri.com/technology/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |website=PlasticFri}}</ref>

==Attitudes toward stubble burning==
*Stubble burning has been effectively prohibited since 1993 in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/1366/contents/made|title=The Crop Residues (Burning) Regulations 1993|website=www.legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> A perceived increase in [[Alopecurus myosuroides|blackgrass]], and particularly herbicide resistant blackgrass, has led to a campaign by some arable farmers for its return.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tasker|first=Johann|title=Farmers step up stubble burning campaign|url=http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/30/07/2012/134162/farmers-step-up-stubble-burning-campaign.htm|access-date=24 August 2013|date=30 May 2012}}</ref>
*In [[Australia]] stubble burning is "not the preferred option for the majority of farmers"<ref name="vicgovau"/> but is permitted and recommended in some circumstances. Farmers are advised to rake and burn windrows, and leave a fire break of 3 metres around any burn off.<ref name="mailtimes"/>
*In the [[United States]], fires are fairly common in mid-western states, but some states such as Oregon and Idaho regulate the practice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2754|title=Oregon Secretary of State Division Rules, Chapter 603, Division 77, "Field Burning Rules"|access-date=4 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/crop-residue-burning/|title=Crop Residue Burning|author=Idaho Department of Environmental Quality|access-date=4 November 2019}}</ref>
*In the [[European Union]], the [[Common Agricultural Policy]] strongly discourages stubble burning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32013R1306&from=en|title=REGULATION (EU) No 1306/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL}}</ref>
*In [[China]], there is a government ban on stubble burning; however the practice remains fairly common.<ref>{{cite news|title=Farmers burn wheat stubble despite ban|url=http://english.people.com.cn/90882/8285589.html|access-date=24 August 2013|newspaper=Peoples Daily|date=15 June 2013}}</ref>
*In northern [[India]], despite a ban by the Punjab Pollution Control Board, stubble burning is still practiced since the 1980s. Authorities are starting to enforce this ban more proactively, and to research alternatives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paddy stubble burning: Two farmers booked in Sangrur|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/patiala/paddy-stubble-burning-two-farmers-booked-in-sangrur/article1-1281168.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102070311/http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/patiala/paddy-stubble-burning-two-farmers-booked-in-sangrur/article1-1281168.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2014|access-date=23 November 2014|work=Hindustan Times|date=31 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-is-trying-to-prevent-apocalyptic-air-pollution-step-1-stop-farmers-from-burning-their-fields/2018/10/15/79d3fd52-cb20-11e8-ad0a-0e01efba3cc1_story.html|title=India is trying to prevent apocalyptic air pollution. Step 1: Stop farmers from burning their fields.|last=Slater|first=Joanna|date=15 October 2018|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
* Stubble burning is allowed by permit in some Canadian provinces, including Manitoba where 5% of farmers were estimated to do it in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/smoke-from-stubble-fires-engulfs-winnipeg-1.678678|title=Smoke from stubble fires engulfs Winnipeg|date=6 September 2007|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>

=== India===
[[File:NP India burning 48 (6315309342).jpg|thumb|Burning of rice residues after harvest, to quickly prepare the land for wheat planting, around [[Sangrur]], [[Punjab, India]]]]
Stubble burning in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], and [[Uttar Pradesh]] in north India has been cited as a major cause of [[air pollution in Delhi]] since 1980.<ref>Geeta Anand, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/world/asia/farmers-unchecked-crop-burning-fuels-indias-air-pollution.html "Farmers’ Unchecked Crop Burning Fuels India's Air Pollution"], ''The New York Times,'' 2 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2017.</ref> Consequently, the government is considering implementation of the 1,600 km long and 5 km wide [[Aravalli_Range|Great Green Wall of Aravalli]].<ref name=wall1>[https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/want-govt-to-build-1600-km-green-wall-along-aravalli-says-activist-vijaypal-baghel-6182069/ Want govt to build 1600 km green wall along Aravalli], Indian Express, 24 December 2019.</ref> From April to May and October to November each year, farmers mainly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh burn an estimated 35 million tons<ref>Joydeep Thakur, [http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-s-pollution-nightmare-crop-burning-in-nearby-states-begins/story-djXJY8W0Ugzm8dgsxmbN0K.html Brace for air pollution in Delhi as crop burning starts in neighbouring states]: Agricultural stubble running into millions of tonnes is burnt by farmers in northern India twice every year. An estimated 35 million tonnes are set afire in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh alone. ''[[Hindustan Times]],'' 28 September 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.</ref> of crop waste from their wheat and paddy fields after harvesting as a low-cost straw-disposal practice to reduce the turnaround time between harvesting and sowing for the first (summer) crop and the second (winter) crop.<ref name="ashok2017">Sowmiya Ashok, [http://indianexpress.com/article/india/stubble-burning-punjab-farmers-amarinder-singh-ngt-air-pollution-4897240/ "Agricultural pollution: The fields are still burning"], ''The Indian Express'', 19 October 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.</ref> Smoke from this burning produces a cloud of particulates visible from space<ref>NASA, [https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=82409 "Stubble Burning in Northern India"], Earth Observatory. Retrieved 9 November 2017.</ref> and has produced what has been described as a "toxic cloud" in New Delhi, resulting in declarations of an air-pollution emergency.<ref name="reuters2017">Sanjeev Miglani and Aditya Kalra, [https://www.reuters.com/article/india-pollution-delhi/new-delhi-declares-emergency-as-toxic-smog-thickens-by-the-hour-idINKBN1D90LM "New Delhi declares emergency as toxic smog thickens by the hour"], Reuters, 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.</ref> For this, the NGT (National Green Tribunal) instituted a fine of ₹2 [[lakh]] on the Delhi Government for failing to file an action plan providing incentives and infrastructural assistance to farmers to stop them from burning crop residue to prevent air pollution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/crop-burning-ngt-slaps-rs-2-lakh-as-costs-on-delhi-govt-for-not-filing-action-plan/story-IxLjRrWXOhSAYYcG1NaCKJ.html|title=Crop burning: NGT slaps Rs 2 lakh as costs on Delhi govt for not filing action plan|date=3 April 2018|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=26 June 2018|language=en}}</ref>

Although harvesters such as the Indian-manufactured "[[Happy seeder|Happy Seeder]]" that shred the crop residues into small pieces and uniformly spread them across the field are available as an alternative to burning stubble, and crops such as [[millet]]s and [[maize]] can be grown as an sustainable alternative to rice and wheat in order to conserve water, some farmers complain that the cost of these machines is a significant financial burden, with the crops not incurred under MSP prices when compared to burning the fields and purchasing crops that are produced under MSP prices.<ref name="ashok2017" />

The [[Indian Agricultural Research Institute]], developed an enzyme bio-decomposer solution, that can be sprayed after the harvest, to increase organic carbon in the soil and maintain overall [[soil health]].<ref name=":0" /> In 2021, they began licensing its use to various companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220405-the-fungi-cleaning-new-delhis-air|title=The world's most polluted capital city|work=www.bbc.com|first=Kamala|last=Thiagarajan|date=April 4, 2022|accessdate=April 10, 2022}}</ref>
In May 2022, the Government of Punjab announced they will purchase [[maize]], [[pearl millet|bajra]], [[sunflower]] and [[Mung bean|moong]] crops at MSP, encouraging farmers to adopt less water consuming options as a sustainable alternative to paddy and wheat in the wake of fast-depleting groundwater.<ref>Harmandeep Singh, [https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/punjab-govt-will-purchase-maize-bajra-other-crops-at-msp-cm-bhagwant-mann-101651606909451.html "Punjab govt will purchase maize, bajra, other crops at MSP: CM Bhagwant Mann"], ''Hindustan Times,'' 4 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.</ref> Stubble burning has increased 160% now in Rajasthan in India claims a minister. [https://www.livemint.com/news/india/stubble-burning-has-increased-160-in-rajasthan-20-in-punjab-minister-11667738244177.html]

==See also==
*[[Slash-and-burn]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Agriculture]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Fire]]
[[Category:Horticultural techniques]]

Stubble burning - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article