Stubble burning has become an annual issue in Northern India, casting a shadow over Diwali for farmers in Punjab and Haryana. The problem is rooted in the agricultural cycle: after the paddy harvest, fields need to be cleared swiftly to prepare for wheat sowing. Without sufficient time or resources to manage the paddy residue, many farmers resort to burning the straw, a practice known as paddy stubble burning.
Despite efforts to curb this practice, farmers face limited alternatives. Government policies, rather than offering viable solutions, have mostly imposed punitive measures. The Haryana Agriculture Department, for instance, issued a directive on October 17, 2024, mandating FIRs against those who burn stubble. Offenders risk losing access to the e-Kharid portal, which restricts them from selling crops in mandis for the next two seasons. Adding to the financial burden, the Central Ministry of Environment doubled fines on stubble burning: ₹5,000 for less than two acres, ₹10,000 for two to five acres, and ₹30,000 for more than five acres. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi are required to enforce these rules.
The health effects of polluted air are significant, particularly around Diwali when air quality across Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh worsens. As noted by agricultural scientist Dr. Ashok Dhillon, burning paddy residue releases high levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—gases harmful to humans and animals. The World Health Organization has highlighted the severe impact of pollution on children, associating it with health issues like stunted lung growth, asthma, respiratory infections, and developmental disorders. In 2016 alone, pollution was responsible for over half a million deaths in children under five globally.
However, framing stubble burning as the primary cause of pollution oversimplifies the issue. In recent statements, the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Dakounda challenged the idea that farmers are primarily responsible for the region’s pollution. Citing data from the National Green Tribunal, the union argued that while stubble burning contributes 4.4% of the pollution, other sources—such as firecrackers, diesel generators, factories, and vehicles—account for the remaining 95.6%. Despite this, action has been largely directed at farmers, with limited consequences for other polluters. The union further emphasized that the responsibility to manage crop residue, including collection and transport, lies with the administration, which has failed to provide adequate support to farmers.
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) also criticized the government’s stance, arguing that the claim of stubble burning as a primary factor for NCR’s pollution is scientifically unsound. They cited NASA’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite data, which shows a 51% drop in farm fires between 2018 and October 2024, questioning why air quality in Delhi has not improved proportionately if stubble burning is the main issue. According to IITM data, stubble burning only accounted for 0.92% of PM2.5 levels in Delhi between October 12 and October 21, 2024. AIKS pointed to other sources, such as vehicular emissions, factories, and brick kilns, as significant contributors to pollution in the region.
This brings us to the central question: why are farmers being made scapegoats for a multi-source pollution problem? Speaking at an international conference on November 12, 2024, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria asserted that solely blaming farmers is unfair and emphasized the need for sufficient crop residue management (CRM) machinery to help reduce stubble burning. He pointed out that unless farmers have alternative crops that yield higher profits, they are compelled to stick to paddy, which necessitates burning the stubble to prepare for wheat sowing. Kataria also acknowledged that while some CRM machinery has been distributed, the quantity falls far short of demand.
The AIKS contends that the focus on farmers stems from political motives, arguing that the government’s punitive approach reflects resentment over the historic farmers’ protests against pro-corporate agricultural laws. Former Union Minister Kumari Selja echoed this sentiment, accusing the government of taking out its frustration on farmers by doubling fines for stubble burning following pressure from the Supreme Court. She noted that stubble burning is an old issue that requires systemic solutions rather than punitive measures.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also voiced its opposition to the central government’s handling of the issue. Senior leader Neel Garg questioned why the Centre refused Punjab’s request for ₹1,200 crore to assist farmers with alternative methods of residue management. He argued that had this financial aid been provided, stubble burning incidents would have likely decreased. Instead of supporting farmers, the Centre has opted to impose higher fines.
Meanwhile, Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana emphasized that blaming stubble burning alone for Delhi’s pollution is misleading. He noted that Haryana has promoted the use of straw as manure, encouraging farmers to incorporate it back into the soil. Rana advised the Delhi government to implement similar measures to address pollution within its jurisdiction.
Dr. Prabhjyot Kaur Sidhu from Punjab Agricultural University noted that the pollution caused by stubble burning primarily affects local areas rather than Delhi, dismissing claims that smoke travels 300-400 km to impact the capital’s air quality. She pointed out that farmers are harming their local communities by burning stubble, not distant regions like Delhi.
Given these insights, it is clear that while stubble burning contributes to air pollution, it is not the dominant cause. Addressing this issue requires a holistic approach that considers all pollution sources. The Delhi government and other authorities should focus on reducing emissions from vehicles, factories, and other sources instead of disproportionately targeting farmers.
The solution also requires increased government support for farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices. This could involve subsidies for CRM machinery or financial incentives for alternative residue management techniques. It is imperative that authorities provide adequate resources, rather than resorting to punitive measures that penalize farmers for a systemic issue.
Furthermore, a collaborative effort is needed between state governments, central authorities, and agricultural organizations to develop and implement effective policies. Addressing pollution in Northern India requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles all sources of emissions, not just stubble burning.
In the end, the path forward lies in understanding that pollution is a complex problem with many contributing factors. Farmers, who already face numerous challenges, should not bear the burden alone. It is essential for the government to stop scapegoating farmers and instead work collaboratively to devise practical solutions that address the root causes of pollution in a fair and equitable manner.
