Environment Ministry Launches a Regional Project to Tackle Stubble Burning

In significant step to combat climate change,the Environment Ministry has approved regional project on ‘Climate Resilience Building among Farmers through Crop Residue Management’ under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC).

Key Facts :

• The project was approved at meeting of National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Secretary, Environment Ministry.
• The project aims to mitigate climate change impacts and enhance adaptive capacity and counter adverse environmental impacts arising from stubble burning. It will be implemented following a phased approach. Based upon performance in first phase, its scope will be enhanced and more activities will be supported subsequently.
• The first phase of the project was approved for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan at cost of approximately Rs. 100 crore. It will leverage approximately three times the approved amount with contribution from States as well as farmers.
• Initially, awareness generation and capacity building activities will be undertaken to encourage farmers to adopt alternate practices which will help them to diversify livelihood options and enhance income. Moreover, slew of technological interventions will be also undertaken for timely management of crop residue in addition to effective utilisation of existing machineries.
• Under this project, implementable and sustainable entrepreneurship models will be created in rural areas through upscaling successful initiatives and innovative ideas.

Background :

• The straw burning is age-old agricultural practice followed by farmers biannually by setting fire to their fields to clear the land of residue (straw) of one harvest and sow the next. The problem has intensifying over the years, with Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh being the major burning hotspots.
• The problem of open burning of agriculture has resulted in serious issues contributing towards global warming and environmental pollution. It also has an adverse impact on air quality, soil health and human health. The open field burning emits Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitrous Oxide (NO) along with particulate matter.

National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) :

• NAFCC is a flagship Scheme of Union Government launched in 2015 to provide 100% central grant to the State Governments for implementing climate change adaptation projects.
• The Scheme has been designed to fulfill objectives of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and operationalize State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs).
• The objective of NAFCC is to assist states/UTs that are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change in meeting the cost of adaptation.
• Under it, Union Government encourages States to come up with innovative and scalable projects to develop resilience against climate change and mainstream it in the planning processes.
• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is National Implementing Entity (NIE) responsible for implementation of adaptation projects under NAFCC.

Analysis :

• The problem of crop residue burning has been intensifying over the years, with Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh being the major burning hotspots.
• Increased mechanization, declining number of livestock, long period required for composting and no economically viable alternate use of residues are some of the reasons for residues being burnt in field.
• This not only has implications for global warming, but also has an adverse impact on air quality, soil health and human health.

By: Harman Sandhu