The dual cropping system of rice and wheat in Punjab has been instrumental in meeting India’s food demands. This system thrives on extensive irrigation, mechanised farming techniques, and supplementary government policies that include subsidies and procurement mechanisms. While the rice and wheat harvest time-frame is certainly dictated by water conservation policies of the government. The practice of burning crop residue within a narrow wind (between rice harvest and wheat planting) has largely fallen out of its regulatory ambit.
For many, residue burning is a good ‘quick-fix’ for farmers in managing their post-harvest leftovers. However, it prompts a substantial amount of black carbon and pollutants, adding to air pollution and climate change. To put briefly, the environmental repercussions of residue burning extend beyond air quality degradation. They encompass adverse impacts on human health, regional climate dynamics, and the long-term sustainability of agriculture itself.1
Can a Causal Loop Analysis help?
A Causal Loop Analysis (CLA) of residue burning and black carbon emissions in Punjab’s agricultural systems highlights a set of complex interactions of consequential environmental issues. Researchers have constructed a comprehensive CLA comprising 37 elements interconnected by 76 interactions, illustrating how various factors contribute to the prevalence of residue burning. These interactions delineate both positive and negative effects among the elements, showing how changes in one aspect can propagate through the system (butterfly effect).
Source: Downing et al. (n.d.). Unlocking the unsustainable rice-wheat system of Indian Punjab: Assessing alternatives to crop-residue burning from a systems perspective
Figure 1: Each element in CLA is linked by arrows indicating causal relationships: positive arrows denote reinforcing effects leading to escalation, while the negative arrows signify counteractive influences that may mitigate certain outcomes.
In contrast, ‘stabilising feedback loops’ identified through CLA suggest potential interventions to mitigate these adverse effects. For instance, the ‘Environmental Degradation Loop’ shows how climate change negatively affects agricultural productivity, indirectly reducing incentives for residue burning as viable agricultural conditions deteriorate. Similarly, the ‘Socio-Economic Degradation Loop’ illustrates how long-term health impacts from emissions can diminish the capacity for mechanised agriculture, potentially reducing reliance on burning practices. Thus, these loops intend to stabilise what one may often call the ‘residue burning conundrum’, emphasising the aggravating and mitigating factors.
A possible intervention
Residue burning in agriculture is closely linked to three key intensification processes: increased residue production, mechanised harvesting, and excessive groundwater use3. One policy initiative to address this issue is the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program, which provides partial payments to farmers upfront incentivizing them to adopt environment friendly practices, reducing the incidence of residue burning.
Source : Money (Not) to Burn: Payments for Ecosystem Services to Reduce Crop Residue Burning
Figure 2: The experimental timeline makes use of the sowing seasons of rice and wheat crops. It integrates the usage of PES contracts in Punjab’s harvesting season.
Source : Money (Not) to Burn: Payments for Ecosystem Services to Reduce Crop Residue Burning
Figure 3: The experimental design for PES contract showcases the control area. It classifies the distinct incentive based Payment for Ecosystem services, the standard PES metric and the upfront payment along with the respective rate.
Another seminal initiative to incentivize farmers is the recent carbon farming program initiated by Grow Indigo (GIPL) in Punjab and Haryana. It awards carbon credits to farmers who adopt sustainable agricultural practices. By aggregating and selling the carbon credits, GIPL ensures that 75% of the revenues flow back to the participating farmers. Farmers can earn one carbon credit per acre annually, valued at $40 per credit, equivalent to a reduction of one tonne of CO2 emissions.
Broadly, transitioning Punjab’s agriculture towards sustainability necessitates a multifaceted approach. This approach is contemplated with a strong representation of an interplay between the causal loop understanding and the incentive based policies such as PES, Carbon credit, etc. One of the prominent strategies in this context would be to gauge the amplifying and dampening interactions to diversify the crop from the water-intensive rice-wheat cycles to alternatives that are ecologically and economically viable.
Moreover, addressing the root causes of unsustainable agricultural practices involves frameworks that promote soil health management through practices like no-till farming, and integrate climate-smart agriculture techniques that enhance resilience to changing environmental conditions. Punjab specific challenges such as market demand alignment and farmer’s reluctance due to perceived risks and costs create a lock-in that perpetuates unsustainable practices and disconnects production incentives from their broader economic and environmental impacts.
A call for change
In essence, sustainable agriculture in Punjab is about forging a harmonious relationship between food security, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity—a goal achievable through concerted efforts and forward-thinking policies. While Punjab’s rice-wheat system has been instrumental in ensuring food security for India, its reliance on unsustainable practices like residue burning underscores the urgent need for transformative change.
By embracing policies that encourage sustainable agriculture, Punjab can mitigate environmental risks while maintaining food production. Initiatives like the PES program demonstrate that economic incentives aligned with environmental goals can drive significant shifts in farming practices. Achieving sustainable agriculture in Punjab requires not just technological advancements but also a paradigm shift in how agriculture interacts with ecology and society. By fostering a supportive policy environment by engaging Kisaan Unions, investing in research and development, and empowering farmers with knowledge and resources, Punjab can lead the way towards a resilient agricultural future.
Endnotes
- Emissions of black carbon from burning exacerbate the atmospheric conditions, which affect the local weather patterns but also contribute to global climate change through Atmospheric Brown Clouds.
- A butterfly effect refers to the sensitive dependence on initial conditions in complex agricultural systems, where a small change can lead to vastly different outcomes over time.
- Data from CGWB shows that Punjab’s high-water demand nearly doubles its groundwater recharge rate.