Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Stubble Management in Punjab: A Review

The review highlights the situation of paddy stubble farming in Punjab, where farmers aim to prevent environmental harm by avoiding crop residue burning. Despite this intent, challenges such as insufficient machinery and lack of crop insurance hinder their transition to sustainable practices. Punjab, a key agricultural region in India, faces issues like air pollution and environmental degradation due to stubble burning. Farmers increasingly recognize these problems and are willing to explore alternatives. Farmers in Punjab are committed to adopting sustainable practices to minimize stubble burning's adverse effects on soil health and pollution. However, they face obstacles, notably the high cost and limited availability of necessary machinery such as happy seeders and mulchers, particularly affecting small-scale farmers. Additionally, inadequate crop insurance exacerbates the situation by failing to cover risks associated with stubble management, dissuading farmers from transitioning. To address these challenges, promoting accessible and affordable environmentally friendly machinery is crucial. Collaborative efforts between the government and private sector can facilitate this. Moreover, revising crop insurance policies to include stubble management risks will provide farmers with the confidence and financial security needed to adopt sustainable practices. Stakeholder collaboration is essential to create a supportive environment for farmers, enabling Punjab to lead in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.