New legislation to prevent crop or stubble burning in Punjab owing to worsening air quality has, however invited several protests from Punjab farmers. These restrictions have been implemented to curb the disturbing alarming air quality index (AQI) level in the region. It is for health risks and smoke emitting from the burning of residue after the harvest season. Yet, farmers argue that they do not have better options as well as the resources to dispose of crop residue appropriately and hence they burn it.
The protest suggests that while farmers criticize their practices as unsustainable and a major cause of pollution, they also point out the impossibility of mitigating it. They claim that without government support for alternative methods, they are caught between the pressure to reduce pollution and their financial constraints. The situation also calls for environmentally friendly and affordable practices of farming that do not exert pressure on the farmers.
Farmers are requesting money grants, incentives for machinery for residue management, and other broader support measures with regard to both the environment and the economy. This continuing tension casts doubt on the compatibility of environmental objectives with the needs of the farming population in particular, and the agricultural industry in general in Punjab.
Roots Of The Punjab Farmer’s Protest
The cause of the recent farmers’ protest in Punjab originates from the burning of crop residue through the technique called stubble burning for effective preparation of fields for the next crop.
Lacking both time and money, farmers have no better way to convert the crop residue than burning it, which is an unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly practice. But in recent years, the central government has imposed certain conditions on crop burning, thereby leaving the farmers in quite a fix.
They respond that options like employing unique equipment and enacting innovative recycling processes, material disposal techniques, or even just the acquisition of better equipment, are either pricey or impossible without funding assistance.
Most agree that they are largely portrayed as the culprits of a multi-faceted air pollution problem, meanwhile, sources such as industries, and emissions from cities, go virtually unnoticed.
All farmers are asking for subsidies and help with shifting to the new methods. All of them stated that without this help, they cannot follow the rules. This protest makes one understand the kind of pressure that requires both environmental and agricultural aspects to be addressed.
Call For Alternatives
Even as Punjab farmers have rebelled against crop-burning restrictions, the main issue that they are most concerned about is the lack of efficient solutions for stubble. Tilling has been a cultural way of removing weeds from the fields for years, but it is fast becoming unsustainable, given declining air quality.
Farmer’s reasoning for this is that they are left with few options since residue management techniques are expensive and inefficient.
To this end, they are calling for governmental incentives in the form of subsidies for innovative farming tools, such as specialized straw management machines that convert waste into profitable compost or biofuel.
Besides, awareness creation on sustainable agriculture practices enhances the knowledge of the farmers to practice new techniques in the management of crop residues.
Several farmer cohorts stress creating a situation in which the application of these alternatives is critical both to increase the quality of the air and to keep their jobs. The demand for shift emphasizes the involvement of the government with agricultural practices to ensure organic agriculture.
Government’s Role And Responsibility
The conflict between air quality and farming in Punjab is another main area where the government has direction-setting responsibility. For the reduction of burning restrictions, it must stand beside farmers and give them an economical solution such as subsidizing quality machines & technologies for the dustless removal of stubbles.
Furthermore, several education measures that may be introduced can positively influence farmers’ activity and promote the use of sustainable practices. Politicians need to have more active discussions with farmers and agricultural societies to draw out a more optimistic solution that includes both the preservation of the environment and a reasonable level of economic rationality.
It wouldn’t take long for the government to come out with sustainable solutions that would involve the farmers working together toward cleaning the air while improving the economy and farmers’ lives for the better future that is yet to come.
