Determinants of Paddy Straw Management Decision of Farmers in Punjab

This paper explored the present status as well as problems faced by the farmers with paddy straw management and sought to uncover the factors affecting farmers’ decision to burning of paddy straw. The study also highlighted the differences in the socio-eco-personal and psychological profile of the farmers using various alternative techniques of paddy straw management vis-a-vis burning the straw. The study was carried out in Sangrur district of Punjab and 30 farmers each from four villages were selected randomly. Farmers’ perceptions were also considered while analyzing the data. The results revealed that ignoring the bad impact on environment, farmers are burning paddy straw as it was economically advantageous to them. The farmers were engaged in mechanical farming for tillage operations and clearance of fields. Issues related to technical and mechanical aspects were found to be important. The results of the binary logistic regression showed that farmers’ operational land holding, extension contacts and innovativeness were the significant factors contributing to their decision to burn the paddy straw. Socio-eco-personal and psychological variables (Z-test) such as annual income, extension contacts, risk orientation, innovativeness, mass media exposure and ecological consciousness were significantly different among the farmers managing paddy straw and those using alternative techniques other than burning. Thus, findings may provide useful information for effective management of paddy straw for economically viable and ecologically sustainable farming in this region.