Delayed harvesting behind drop in farm fires: Experts

Despite a noticeable reduction in stubble burning cases in Ludhiana this kharif season, experts have cautioned against laxity while attributing the drop to delayed harvesting caused by unseasonal rains earlier this month.

The perception of farm fires being under control, they say, then becomes problematic as the menace is likely to worsen in the coming weeks — given the limited window available for the timely sowing of the rabi crop.

The onset of the Kharif season, spanning from September 15 to November 30, has witnessed 52 cases of stubble burning in Ludhiana, with a majority reported in the last week. Specifically, 10 cases were reported on October 23, five on October 22, three on October 21, eight on October 20, and two on October 19.

The figures hold up well against those from 2021 and 2022, when 40 and 30 cases of stubble burning were reported respectively on October 23.

Addressing the drop, Punjab Agricultural University director of extension education Gurmeet Singh said, “The decrease in stubble burning incidents can be attributed to the unseasonal rain that occurred in the early weeks of October, resulting in waterlogged fields and increased moisture content in the crops.”

“As the weather clears, making conditions favourable for paddy harvest, more than 70% of fields are expected to be harvested. However, what typically begins in the first week of October has been delayed to the last week of the month, providing farmers with a limited window to prepare their fields for wheat sowing. The constrained time frame for paddy straw management may lead to an increase in stubble burning cases,” he added.

Singh cautioned that the trend, currently representing a decline, might be over soon as the harvesting across Punjab gains momentum.

In the Ludhiana district, during the kharif 2023-24 season up to October 23, there has been Paddy Arrival of 453,756 metric tonnes, consisting of 427,075 MT of Parmal and 26,681 MT of Basmati. However, only 27% of the total land under paddy has been harvested.

Despite Punjab government’s efforts to reduce stubble burning, the shortage of baler machines, essential for baling paddy straw, has hindered ex-situ management plans.

Agriculture development officer Grijesh Bhargav explained, “While the current numbers appear positive, approximately 70% of the fields are yet to be harvested, leaving a narrow window for rabi crop preparation.”

“Thus, there is a significant chance that the numbers may increase in the near future, exacerbated by the short supply of baler machines, making paddy straw management challenging,” he added.