‘Crop residues act as food for fields, increase soil fertility’ – The Times of India

Report on Farmer Awareness Campaign for Sustainable Crop Residue Management

Introduction

An awareness campaign for village-level farmers was conducted in Amauli Thakurain village, Kanpur, under the Crop Residue Management Project. The initiative, organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dalipnagar of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, aimed to promote sustainable agricultural practices that align with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event was attended by over 70 farmers.

Enhancing Soil Health and Food Security (SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 15)

Dr. Khalil Khan, a scientist from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, emphasized that proper crop residue management is fundamental to achieving several SDGs. By treating crop residues as a resource rather than waste, farmers can significantly contribute to:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Improving soil fertility leads to enhanced crop quality and yield, bolstering food security.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): This practice represents a sustainable production pattern that reduces agricultural waste.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Incorporating residues into the soil prevents degradation and enriches terrestrial ecosystems.

The nutritional value provided to the soil by incorporating one ton of stubble was detailed as follows:

• Nitrogen: 5.5 kg
• Phosphorus: 2.3 kg
• Potash: 25 kg
• Sulphur: 1.2 kg
• Essential micronutrients and microorganisms

Mitigating Climate and Health Impacts of Stubble Burning (SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 13)

The campaign highlighted the negative consequences of stubble burning, a practice that directly contravenes global sustainability targets. The harmful emissions from burning one ton of stubble undermine:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Pollutants released are detrimental to human health, particularly affecting the eyes and lungs.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Air pollution from burning degrades the quality of life in both rural and urban communities.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The release of greenhouse gases contributes directly to climate change.

Key pollutants released per ton of burned stubble include:

• Particulate Matter: 3 kg
• Carbon Monoxide Gas: 60 kg
• Carbon Dioxide Gas: 1,460 kg
• Ash: 199 kg
• Sulphur Dioxide Gas: 2 kg

Technological Solutions and Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 9, SDG 17)

Farmers were informed about technological solutions and governmental support systems designed to facilitate sustainable residue management. This approach supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting the adoption of modern agricultural technology. The availability of up to an 80% subsidy on machinery highlights a commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), fostering collaboration between government bodies and the farming community. Recommended technologies include:

1. Waste Decomposer for rapid decomposition
2. Happy Seeder
3. Super Seeder
4. Zero Tillage Machine
5. Mulcher
6. Reversible MB Plough

Integrated Farming and Livestock Well-being (SDG 2, SDG 3)

The program also included a session on animal husbandry led by Dr. Shashikant. Information on the control of foot and mouth disease and the proper management of dairy animals during winter was provided. This integrated approach supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by securing livelihoods and food sources from livestock, and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by managing animal health to prevent disease transmission.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • The article focuses on agricultural practices that “increase soil fertility” and “enhance the quality of produce.” This directly relates to sustainable agriculture, which is a cornerstone of achieving food security and ending hunger. The discussion on animal husbandry and disease control also supports livestock productivity, a key component of food systems.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  • The article explicitly links the practice of burning crop stubble to negative health outcomes, noting that the resulting air pollution, including “3 kg particulate matter” and other gases, can “harm our eyes and lungs.” The campaign’s goal to stop this practice is a direct effort to improve public health by reducing air pollution.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • The core theme is the sustainable management of agricultural waste (crop residue). By promoting the incorporation of stubble into the soil, the campaign reframes it as a valuable resource (“food for our fields”) rather than waste. This aligns with the goal of reducing waste generation through reuse and recycling.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • The article quantifies the emission of greenhouse gases from burning stubble, specifically mentioning the release of “1,460 kg carbon dioxide gas” per ton. The awareness campaign and the promotion of alternative management techniques are direct climate change mitigation efforts at the local level.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  • The primary benefit of crop residue management discussed is the improvement of soil health. The article details how incorporating stubble provides essential nutrients like “5.5 kilograms nitrogen, 2.3 kilograms phosphorus, 25 kilograms potash” and microorganisms, which combats land degradation and progressively improves soil quality.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • The event described is a partnership between a scientific institution (“Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dalipnagar, operating under Chandra Shekhar Azad University”) and local stakeholders (“More than 70 farmers”). This collaboration to share knowledge, technology (subsidized machines), and expertise is essential for achieving sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.4:

   By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and that progressively improve land and soil quality. The article’s focus on crop residue management to “increase soil fertility” and “enhance the quality of produce” directly supports this target.

2. Target 3.9:

   By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The campaign aims to stop stubble burning, which releases pollutants that “harm our eyes and lungs,” thus contributing to this target.

3. Target 12.5:

   By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The initiative promotes treating crop residue not as waste to be burned, but as a resource to be incorporated back into the soil, which is a form of reuse.

4. Target 13.3:

   Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation. The “village-level farmer awareness campaign” is a clear example of this target in action, building farmers’ capacity to adopt climate-friendly practices.

5. Target 15.3:

   By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. The practice of adding nutrients and microorganisms back into the soil via stubble decomposition is a direct method to restore soil health and combat degradation.

6. Target 17.16:

   Enhance the multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources. The collaboration between the university’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra, the government (via the “Crop Residue Management Project” and subsidies), and the farmers exemplifies this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Nutrient Input into Soil:

   The article provides specific quantities of nutrients that 1 ton of stubble adds to the soil: “5.5 kilograms nitrogen, 2.3 kilograms phosphorus, 25 kilograms potash, and 1.2 kilograms sulphur.” These figures can be used as indicators to measure progress in improving soil quality (Target 15.3).

2. Reduction in Air Pollutants:

   The article quantifies the emissions from burning 1 ton of stubble: “3 kg particulate matter, 60 kg carbon monoxide gas, 1,460 kg carbon dioxide gas, 199 kg ash and 2 kg sulphur dioxide gas.” The reduction in the amount of stubble burned can be directly translated into a reduction of these specific pollutants, serving as a clear indicator for progress towards Target 3.9 and Target 13.2.

3. Adoption of Sustainable Technologies:

   The article mentions specific machines like the “Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, Zero Tillage machine, Mulcher, and Reversible MB Plough.” The number of farmers purchasing and using these machines (supported by an “80% subsidy”) is a tangible indicator of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (Target 2.4).

4. Farmer Participation and Outreach:

   The fact that “More than 70 farmers participated in the event” serves as an indicator for the reach and success of awareness-raising campaigns and partnerships (Target 13.3 and Target 17.16).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com