State cuts farm fires by half, but Punjab struggles with higher numbers

Air pollution is a growing concern in Delhi-NCR and across Haryana, with farmers being blamed for the increasing pollution levels due to the burning of crop residue.

However, there has been a significant reduction in farm fires this year compared to previous years. According to data from the Haryana State Agricultural Commission (HARSAC), there were 2,278 cases of stubble burning by November 24 last year, but this year, the number has dropped to 1,315.

Farmers in Haryana seem to be more aware of the harmful effects of burning residue, especially paddy straw, on the environment. Five districts in Haryana—Gurugram, Mahendragarh, Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, and Mewat—have reported zero cases of crop burning this year. Bhiwani reported just seven cases, and Jhajjar 11.

In contrast, Punjab, which has a higher rate of residue burning, has reported 1,721 cases in Sangrur district alone, surpassing Haryana’s total cases.

In terms of crop residue management, over 1,55,000 farmers in Haryana registered on the government portal this year. Kurukshetra district leads with 20,169 registrations, while Kaithal follows with 18,680. Under the residue management scheme, farmers will receive a subsidy of Rs 1,000 an acre.

In an effort to curb burning, the government has taken stern action. So far, 1,029 farmers have been penalised with a "red entry" on the intra-agri portal, meaning they will not be able to sell crops at MSP for the next two seasons.

Jind and Kaithal districts have the highest number of such entries.

Dr Sukhdev Kamboj, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department, Sirsa, stated that Haryana, especially Sirsa, had seen fewer cases of crop residue burning this year. Awareness programmes and incentives had received a positive response, and factories in Sirsa were buying residue to produce energy pellets, helping further reduce burning.

Districts with most cases (September 15-November 24)

Jind 201

Kaithal 194

Sirsa  147

Kurukshetra  131

Fatehabad 129

Farm fires: Haryana vs Punjab

Year               Haryana        Punjab

2024               1,315               10,682

2023               2,278               36,514

2022               3,581               49,810

2021               6,829               71,215

2020               4,036               82,702