This article was published in The Hindu
Stubble burning in North India—especially in Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh—has become a seasonal environmental crisis. But is it just about careless farmers? A recent study by Sujit Raghunathrao Jagdale and Javed M. Shaikh from IIM Amritsar reveals that the real cause lies in faulty governance and broken agricultural markets.
This issue matters deeply for UPSC aspirants preparing for topics like environmental governance, economic policies, and rural distress, as well as SSB aspirants, who must stay informed about current affairs and policymaking nuances.
What Is Stubble Burning and Why Do Farmers Do It?
Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to crop residue (mainly paddy) after harvest. For Punjab farmers, it’s the fastest and most economical way to clear fields for the next sowing season. However, this method contributes significantly to air pollution in Delhi and the Indo-Gangetic plains.
In 2022, satellite-based studies showed that stubble burning contributed 22% to 35% of PM2.5 levels, with some days reaching as high as 40%.
Why Penalizing Farmers Isn’t Enough
The study criticizes the short-sighted approach of imposing penalties on farmers while ignoring the systemic failures that force them to burn stubble in the first place. Here’s what’s going wrong:
1. MSP and Monoculture Trap
India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) system encourages farmers to grow paddy and wheat repeatedly. But delayed payments, rising debts, and poor crop diversification keep them trapped in a cycle of dependency.
> Farmers told researchers they sell at low prices due to middlemen (arhtiyas) and lack of direct access to markets.
2. Urban-Rural Divide in Policy
Farmers feel that policies favor urban-industrial interests. While stubble burning is penalized, industrial pollution is often ignored. This creates a sense of discrimination and marginalization.
3. No Viable Alternatives
Despite being punished for stubble burning, farmers have no affordable or accessible alternatives. Machines like Happy Seeders are expensive, and there's no robust market for biofuel or crop waste.
What Can Be Done? (Way Forward for Essay/Interview Use)
The authors suggest rethinking the approach through the lens of governmentality—how policies shape behavior indirectly.
Recommended Solutions:
- Develop markets for stubble-based products like biofuels, packaging material, and fodder.
- Diversify MSP procurement beyond rice and wheat.
- Strengthen the value chain using rural innovation and technology.
- Create an efficient market for agro-waste.
- Involve farmers in cooperative governance models.
Why It Matters for UPSC and SSB Aspirants
This issue is a textbook case of:
- Market failure
- Policy contradiction
- Environmental governance
- Center-state coordination
- Rural distress
Whether it's for an UPSC GS3 answer, Essay paper, or SSB Group Discussion on farmer issues, understanding the root causes beyond the surface is what sets top performers apart.
