Punjab and Haryana claim farm fires dropped by 50%, yet recent data shows 36,663 cases in Punjab and 2,303 in Haryana, revealing gaps.
Chandigarh: As winter approaches, Delhi and its neighboring regions brace for the annual onslaught of choking smog, transforming once-clear skies into a thick, toxic haze. Delhi’s air quality has plummeted once again, with a 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) of 327, categorised as “very poor.” With weather conditions unfavourable for the dispersal of pollutants, there seems to be little hope for improvement in the coming days.
At the heart of this environmental crisis lies the contentious issue of stubble burning in the leading agricultural states of Punjab and Haryana. Despite years of government initiatives—including subsidies, penalties, and even arrests—thousands of farmers continue to set fire to their paddy fields, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of state and central government efforts in achieving the elusive goal of zero farm fires.
While both Punjab and Haryana boast of progress, claiming a 50% reduction in farm fires over recent years, the reality paints a less optimistic picture. Between September and November 2023 alone, Punjab reported 36,663 cases of stubble burning, and Haryana registered 2,303 incidents. Though these numbers represent a decline, they fall far short of the comprehensive solution that the government had promised.
Moreover, the Supreme Court has expressed its frustration, calling the state governments’ actions “mere eyewash.” Chief Secretaries from Punjab and Haryana were slammed for their apparent failure to adequately address the problem.
The persistent practice of stubble burning stems from deep-rooted economic and logistical challenges faced by farmers. Many argue that the government’s strategies, while well-intentioned, do not align with their immediate needs. “We are under immense pressure to clear the fields for the next crop cycle, and burning is the fastest way,” explains Krishan Kumar, a farmer from Shahbad, Kurukshetra. Despite being aware of the environmental damage, farmers argue that they lack viable alternatives. One of the main obstacles is the widespread use of combine harvesters, which leave behind large amounts of crop residue. While both the Haryana and Punjab governments have banned the use of combines without Straw Management Systems (SMS), compliance has been low. The cost of installing SMS units is prohibitive for many, and older machines are not easily compatible with the technology. “Upgrading our machines is expensive, and we can’t afford the downtime during harvest season,” says Sandeep Kumar, a combine harvester owner from Karnal.
Small farmers face additional economic pressures. The costs associated with managing crop residue—whether through baling, transporting, or purchasing machinery—often outweigh the benefits. Though the government has established over 39,000 custom hiring centers across Punjab and Haryana to make machinery more accessible, farmers say the financial and logistical hurdles remain too high. Many still turn to burning as the cheapest and simplest solution.
“The subsidies are helpful, but they don’t cover all our needs,” says Ram Kumar, a farmer from Kaithal. “While I can sell stubble to power plants, not every farmer has access to such opportunities.” He adds that more focus should be placed on creating industrial uses for crop waste, turning it into a source of income for farmers.
According to farmers the harvesting of paddy and the sowing of wheat occur within a narrow window, and farmers need to clear their fields quickly.
“We know stubble burning is harmful, but we don’t have an instant alternative,” says Praveen Kumar, another farmer from Karnal.
The government’s strategy has relied heavily on punitive measures, such as imposing fines, making “red entries” on the land records of offenders, and restricting access to government benefits.
However, many argue that these actions alienate farmers rather than encourage them to adopt sustainable practices.
“We need support, not punishment,” says another farmer, stressing that most small farmers simply cannot afford heavy machinery. While stubble burning is a highly visible contributor to air pollution, some experts argue that it is not the primary cause of Delhi’s notorious smog. “There’s no scientific proof that smoke from Punjab is the main contributor to Delhi’s pollution,” says Justice Sudhir Agarwal, a member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), during a recent seminar in Delhi. He pointed out that wind patterns often do not carry smoke from north to south, and the oil content in paddy straw is too low to account for the high levels of pollution in the capital.
Nevertheless, the central government remains convinced that stubble burning significantly worsens Delhi’s air quality. Former Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey in last winter session of Parliament informed the Rajya Sabha that while Haryana managed to reduce farm fires by 37% last year, neighbouring states, including Punjab, recorded only a 27% reduction.
Despite these challenges, the government continues to invest heavily in tackling the problem. In a bid to curb stubble burning, Rs 2,440 crore has been allocated for subsidies, helping to provide over two lakh units of specialized farm machinery to farmers. Additionally, more than 39,000 custom hiring centers have been set up, allowing small and marginal farmers to rent the necessary equipment.
The government has also made strides in waste-to-energy initiatives. Haryana now generates 84 MW of electricity from crop waste, and additional biomass plants have converted 3.5 lakh metric tonnes of straw into 30 MW of power. However, scaling these efforts to cover millions of hectares of farmland remains a monumental challenge.
Since September 15 and October this year, Punjab—covering over 31 lakh hectares—reported 1,749 cases of farm fires till date, while Uttar Pradesh, with 60 lakh hectares, saw around 800 cases. Haryana, with over 13 lakh hectares, has recorded 686 cases so far.
Experts believe that the numbers tell a clear story, stubble burning is not going away anytime soon. The ongoing battle to eliminate farm fires hinges on the development of new technologies, stricter enforcement, and more effective incentives.
“Until the economic and logistical challenges driving farmers to burn their fields are addressed, the vision of a smog-free winter remains distant”, says a senior officer from Haryana agriculture department, pleading anonymity.