Has govt scheme helped reduce stubble burning? IIM-Rohtak experts to study

GURGAON: Researchers at IIM-Rohtak have begun a three-month-long study to assess the effect of measures introduced by governments to curb stubble fires, which usually begin in the early weeks of winter every year and contribute to hazardous levels of air pollution in north India.
The institute was roped in for the study by the central government’s Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare.
Researchers said on Sunday that the study will be carried out over 50 districts of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in the next three months.
There are three teams – comprising a professor, a research associate, students and interns – which will carry out a door-to-door survey. They will try to find out the extent of stubble burning and the functionality of Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs).
Traditionally, farmers in the northern agricultural belt burn the residue – or stubble -- to clear their fields for the next crop cycle. To stop farm fires, the central government had introduced the Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue scheme in 2018. CHCs were opened to provide subsidised machinery for managing crop residues.
In the survey, the researchers will all map the district-wise availability of this machinery and its usage. Subsequently, the findings will be corroborated with satellite imagery to ascertain if machinery helped reduce stubble burning.
“It’s an extensive study. The ground survey has already begun. This will be followed by data assimilation and analysis,” said Professor Dheeraj Sharma, director of IIM-Rohtak.
The research will also incorporate a study of social and economic constraints that may have restricted the farmers from opting for equipment to deal with stubble.
“We will also try to find various constraints that may be impeding the effective implementation of government schemes and note down the needs of the farming community. Besides submitting our observations and findings, we’ll also tender recommendations and suggestions for policy consideration,” the director added.
The study is likely to conclude in April and a report will be submitted to the Centre.