Impact of Agriculture Crop Residue Burning on Environment and Soil Health

Abstract

There are 115 million operational holdings in the country and about 80 % are marginal and small farmers. To fulfil the basic needs of house hold including food, feed, fodder, fibre, etc. were an attention about bio intensive cropping system (BICS). Global warming and its consequences are amongst the most serious problems of the present century. Agricultural crop residue burning contribute towards the emission of greenhouse gases (CO₂, N₂O, CH₄, CFCs), air pollutants (CO, NH₃, NOx, SO₂, NMHC), volatile organic compounds, particulates matter and smoke thereby posing threat to human health. Total amount of residue generated in 2008–09 was 620 MT out of which ~15.9% residue was burnt on farm. Rice straw contributed 40% of the total residue burnt followed by wheat straw (22%) and sugarcane trash (20%). Conservation agriculture and recommended management practices (RMPs) collectively are helpful to offset part of the emissions due to unscientific agricultural practices.