Factors behind crop residue burning in northern India: Psychological determinants of farming community

Crop residue burning is one of the prime factors behind air pollution in Northern India. Every year air quality of National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas crosses danger line due to residue burning especially during winter time. The present study was conducted in Sangrur district of Punjab and Kaithal district of Haryana due to highest incidence of crop residue burning (CREAMS, IARI 2021). Delhi also was the part of study because of high level of pollutions. A total of 129 farmers selected for this study. Despite of so many government and non-government organization efforts farmers are still not motivated to stop residue burning. To investigate the hidden determinants of it some socio –psychological parameters were found responsible. Some behavioral theories namely Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Value Belief Norm (VBN) and Health Belief Model (HBM) were used for assessing psychological determinants. The psychological factors under each theory were found as reliable through calculating Cronbatch alpha. Various sub categories of behavioral theories like PPN, PCU, PBC, PSB, PAR and PBU found significant and negative influence by burning and PBO was found that significant and mixed impact due to burning.