In order to address the problem of air pollution brought on by the burning of stubble and crop residue in North India, holistic solutions must be developed. Talk about it. (Answer in 250 words)
Organic farming has a lot of significance in promoting sustainable agriculture and health in India. Few of it's merits are discussed below: 1) Organic farming includes growing crops without the use of any artificial products such as insecticides and artificial pesticides which reduces soil erosion,Read more
Organic farming has a lot of significance in promoting sustainable agriculture and health in India. Few of it’s merits are discussed below:
1) Organic farming includes growing crops without the use of any artificial products such as insecticides and artificial pesticides which reduces soil erosion, water pollution and such all while ensuring that the soil remains fertile naturally.
2) Organic farming has led to the harvest of many healthy crops that contains nutrients and vitamins more in compared to the ones grown through normal agricultural practices and products. Due to lack of chemical substances in fruits and vegetables grown from organic farming, they also have a higher longevity and shell life. This not only helps preserve food for much longer but also promote a better health free from disease in the society.
3) Organic farming often restrains the use of artificial products like chemicals, insecticides and pesticides that would degrade the quality of soil and reduce their fertility. This ensures that soil will remain fertile for a long period of time.
4) Organic farming and it’s methods not only help prevent soil degradation but also performs a major role in preventing water contamination. Insecticides that wouldn’t dissolve in the soil would often get washed away through rain and join the riverbanks nearby all while polluting it. This leads to the rise in people getting harshly affected by the toxins of the chemicals and them paying a huge price.
5) Organic farming includes products and practices that are not only cost effective but also farmer friendly. They provide employment opportunities to the small farmers and boost their economy with the help of cheap but durable and long lasting products.
6) Organic farming ensures that all different types of crops can be grown in a fertile soil. This will help preserve the diversity of crop species and conserve genetic resources, which are crucial for adapting to changing climate conditions and ensuring food security.
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Crop residue and stubble burning has long continued to be a perennial menace after the post-harvest of paddy in North Indian states especially Haryana, UP, Punjab and Rajasthan. The practice of stubble- burning is a chronic problem caused by the vicious wheat-paddy cycle, free power to run tube-wellRead more
Crop residue and stubble burning has long continued to be a perennial menace after the post-harvest of paddy in North Indian states especially Haryana, UP, Punjab and Rajasthan. The practice of stubble- burning is a chronic problem caused by the vicious wheat-paddy cycle, free power to run tube-wells and other subsidies on seeds and fertilisers even at the cost of precious subsoil water.
After harvesting of paddy, there is a short window of two to three weeks for farmers to ready their fields for the next crop, i.e. wheat. Consequently, they set the stubble on fire without bothering about the consequences.
This leads to following issues:
Though the government provides incentives and subsidised machines for small and marginal farmers and has also declared stringent measures such as Section 188 of the IPC and the Air and Pollution Control Act of 1981, stubble burning remains a major issue in North India. Therefore, diverse and holistic long-term solutions need to be devised, such as:
Practices like the Gram Panchayat of Balloh village in Bathinda, which had announced Rs. 500 per acre subsidy for not burning stubble in the fields can be emulated as a model practice. Coordinated efforts of all stakeholders and aggressive campaigning and awareness of ill-effects of stubble burning on human life and soil health among the farming community must go hand in hand.
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