Sangrur: Farmers across Punjab are pioneering a transformation in agricultural practices, seeking to reduce the devastating air pollution that blankets New Delhi every winter. Traditionally, leftover rice stalks commonly known as stubble were set ablaze to quickly prepare fields for the next wheat crop, producing thick smoke that, when combined with vehicle exhaust and dust, contributed heavily to Delhi’s notorious winter smog.
In a decisive shift, farmers in over 800 villages are now using balers to gather and compact crop stubble, which is then transported to factories for recycling. These factories convert the stubble into biogas, bio-fertiliser, and cardboard, turning agricultural waste into valuable resources while significantly curbing smoke emissions. According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the initiative is supported with equipment and resources to help farmers adopt these sustainable practices.
For many farmers, the change is both practical and environmentally conscious. Dalbir Singh, 25, from Balwar Kalan in Sangrur district, explained: “Due to stubble burning, we are exposed to smoke … It's not an exciting activity for us. That’s why we are stocking it and sending it to boilers to be sold.” The move not only helps clear the land responsibly but also opens avenues for additional income.
Some farmers are taking the initiative further. Gurnaib Singh, 53, from Phaguwala, has established a cardboard manufacturing unit using recycled stubble. His venture not only keeps the air cleaner but also provides employment to dozens in his local community, demonstrating how environmental responsibility can align with economic opportunity.
Despite these promising steps, experts caution that the scale of adoption remains limited. Punjab has roughly 12,000 villages, and stubble burning persists in many regions. Sunil Dahiya, founder of Envirocatalysts, a Delhi-based think tank, noted, “While this has led to some reduction in stubble burning, the incentivisation and awareness of such initiatives is still limited compared to the intensity of response needed to tackle the problem comprehensively.”
The urgency of this transformation is underscored by recent pollution readings. In New Delhi, the air quality index recently soared to around 400, placing the city in the “severe” category and prompting authorities to impose restrictions on construction and industrial activity. Reducing stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab is thus not only an environmental necessity but a public health imperative.
As these pioneering farmers demonstrate, turning crop waste into usable resources can be a win-win: cleaner air, sustainable agriculture, and new economic opportunities. With broader adoption and stronger support, this initiative could serve as a model for other northern states battling the annual cycle of winter smog, showing that innovation in farming practices can directly benefit both communities and the climate.