MSP, cost issues & more: New report shows why fields in Punjab burn after harvest | Chandigarh News – Times of India

CHANDIGARH: From no minimum support price (MSP) on alternate crops to crop residue being unfit for use as cattle fodder, farmers in Punjab have several reasons for continuing with the practice of stubble burning every year, a new report which has gathered feedback from 400 farmers has revealed.
The report, titled Beyond Stubble Burning, is based on feedback gathered between May and July this year in villages of Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Bathinda, Malerkotla, Moga, and Gurdaspur districts, which have a high incidence of stubble burning. It was released on Tuesday.

The report pointed out that even though crop residue management (CRM) schemes have been introduced, farmers still faced challenges such as insufficient horsepower of tractors, limited use periods, machine malfunction, and low productivity that contribute to traditional methods and crop burning.
The report was released by Asar Social Impact Advisors in collaboration with a group of researchers, Clean Air Punjab and CMSR Consultants.
The farmers underlined that harvesting and sowing during the festive season also resulted in labour shortage. This has made it challenging to manage crop residue and implement diversification programs. Innovative solutions are needed to address labour shortages, promote crop diversification, and ensure effective residue management, they said.