Stubble burning cases fall 27% across 7 states, Punjab accounts for nearly half

Paddy stubble burning incidents across seven states declined by 26.63 per cent to 3,316 between September 15 and November 1 this year, according to satellite monitoring data released by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), indicating a reduction in farm fires during the ongoing crop harvesting season.

Punjab continued to account for the largest share of incidents, recording 1,514 cases, or nearly 46 per cent of the total. Rajasthan followed with 671 incidents, Madhya Pradesh with 566 and Uttar Pradesh with 345.

Uttarakhand reported 176 cases, while Haryana recorded 42 and Delhi just two incidents during the monitoring period.

The data was generated through satellite-based remote sensing during the Kharif 2026 season by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS) Laboratory, operating under the Division of Agricultural Physics at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).

𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗯 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀

Despite the overall decline, Punjab remained the largest contributor to recorded crop residue burning incidents among the seven states.

Amritsar, Firozpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Faridkot, Patiala, Barnala and Fazilka were among the districts reporting the highest number of cases in the state.

In Rajasthan, incidents were concentrated in Baran, Bundi, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Kota and Sawai Madhopur districts.

Madhya Pradesh reported relatively higher numbers in Sheopur, Sehore, Narmadapuram, Guna, Datia and Ashoknagar.

The satellite data provides a state-wise picture of agricultural residue burning during the monitoring period, helping authorities identify areas where preventive measures and enforcement may require greater attention.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲

Crop residue burning remains a recurring agricultural and environmental challenge in northern India, particularly during the transition from paddy harvesting to wheat sowing.

Farmers generally have a narrow window of 10 to 25 days to prepare their fields for the next crop. Burning leftover paddy straw is often considered the quickest and least expensive method of clearing agricultural land.

Mechanised harvesting leaves behind substantial quantities of loose straw and standing stubble, which can be difficult to remove manually.

For farmers without affordable access to balers, mulchers and other residue management equipment, burning can appear more practical than collecting or incorporating the straw into the soil.

Delays in wheat sowing can also affect crop yields, adding pressure on farmers to prepare their fields quickly.

However, open-field burning releases smoke and particulate matter, contributing to seasonal air pollution in the northern plains, including Delhi-NCR.

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀

The Union government has been addressing the problem primarily through its Crop Residue Management scheme, which provides financial assistance for machinery that enables farmers to manage paddy straw without burning it.

Under the scheme, individual farmers are eligible for a 50 per cent subsidy on approved equipment, while cooperatives, farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and entrepreneurs can receive financial support of up to 80 per cent.

The supported equipment includes Happy Seeders, Super Seeders, balers, mulchers and straw choppers, which help farmers either incorporate crop residue into the soil or collect it for alternative uses.

Custom Hiring Centres have also been established to improve access to agricultural machinery, particularly for small and marginal farmers who may be unable to purchase expensive equipment.

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀

The government's approach includes both in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management.

In-situ management involves retaining, mulching or incorporating straw into agricultural soil, while ex-situ management focuses on collecting residue for use outside farms.

Paddy straw can be processed into biomass pellets and briquettes or used for co-firing in thermal power plants and other industrial applications.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also been monitoring farm fires through satellite-based systems and enforcement squads.

It has issued directions to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to strengthen measures against crop residue burning.

Authorities are additionally encouraging crop diversification away from water-intensive paddy cultivation to reduce the generation of straw at its source.

While the latest figures show a substantial reduction in recorded incidents, the continued concentration of farm fires in several agricultural districts highlights the importance of affordable residue management solutions alongside monitoring and enforcement.