Stubble Burning in Northern India: Factors, Technological Solutions and Management Strategies: A Comprehensive Review

Stubble burning in Northern India has emerged as a critical environmental and health crisis, driven by agricultural practices from the Green Revolution. Factors such as labour shortages, increased mechanization with combine harvesters, limited time for crop preparation and low utilization of crop residues as animal feed contribute to this widespread practice. Annually, approximately 178 million tons of crop residues remain unutilized, causing soil degradation and severe air pollution, impacting both agricultural productivity and public health. This study reviewed the factors contributing to stubble burning by farmers and techno-economic feasibility of innovative stubble management technologies, including the happy seeder, super seeder and bio-decomposers, which show promise in alleviating the adverse impacts of burning. However, challenges such as financial constraints, lack of awareness and insufficient policy support hinder their adoption. This review identified key barriers to effective implementation and outlines strategies to overcome these challenges. By synthesizing existing research and empirical data, this study aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Collaborative efforts and informed actions are crucial to facilitating the transition toward sustainable stubble management, yielding benefits for both farmers and the environment.