The Uttar Pradesh government has marked significant progress in agricultural and environmental management, achieving a remarkable decline in stubble-burning incidents over the past seven years.
In 2017, UP recorded 8,784 cases of burning stubble, a figure that dropped to just 3,996 cases in 2023, showing a reduction of 4,788 (over 50 per cent) cases.
This success stems from policies that encourage farmers to utilise stubble as a source of income rather than burning it, resulting in economic benefits for farmers and advancements in environmental protection.
Following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh recently reviewed the stubble management efforts in the state. The review revealed that UP annually generates 2.096 crore metric tons of stubble, of which 34.44 lakh MT is used as fodder and 16.78 lakh MT for other purposes.
Additionally, 1.58 crore MT of crop residue are managed through in-situ and ex-situ methods, significantly reducing stubble-burning and its associated pollution. This strategic management has improved air quality and created new revenue streams for farmers through the industrial and domestic use of crop residues.
The Yogi government’s initiative to industrialise stubble usage has generated employment opportunities in rural areas, with paddy straw now used in a variety of products.
Simultaneously, efforts to promote organic farming and the application of leaf compost waste have enhanced soil fertility and provided farmers with access to new markets, increasing their income.
Districts like Maharajganj (468 cases), Jhansi (151 cases), Kushinagar (118 cases), and Fatehpur (111 cases) have set benchmarks through efficient stubble management and awareness campaigns.
The Yogi government’s focus on crop residue management has not only curbed pollution, but also strengthened the rural economy and environmental sustainability.
