Stubble waste management: Policies and programmes in India

Abstract

India is a major agricultural producer in the world, generating more than 500 million tonnes of agricultural waste per year (World Bank, 2012). The generation of stubble waste (agricultural waste) is rising rapidly, which leads to mismanagement of stubble, increasing pollution, and other negative effects on the country's economy and community. The country presently practices various methods for reducing stubble waste but the efforts are not satisfactory. The review paper was prepared from information gathered through discussions with farmers in Northern States of India and secondary research on programmes and policies available in the country for stubble waste. The government of India has launched numerous programmes and policies at State and National level to benefit farmers and manage stubble in the most effective and appropriate ways possible. However, the underlying reality of the government's policies and programmes was found to be mainly limited to few sectors. It is imperative to reduce pollution and increase economic remittance by managing stubble waste in an adequate and competent manner.