Agriculture residue contributes 75 percent greenhouse gas emissions in India: Study

Bhopal: A new study revealed that whopping 75 percent surge in greenhouse gas emissions are from the agricultural residue over the past decade, with Punjab and Madhya Pradesh emerging as the top emitters.

This study was published in the reputed peer-reviewed journal Science of the Total Environment, conducted by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER) collaborated with CIMMYT and University of Michigan.

The journal paper was co-authored by Monish Vijay Deshpande, Nitish Kumar, Dhanyalekshmi K. Pillai, Vijesh V. Krishna, and Meha Jain.

The findings of this research revealed that the burning of rice, wheat, and maize crops accounted for 97% of India’s agricultural burning emissions, with rice being the largest contributor at 55%.

The study is based on “satellite-based technology” that provides insights into greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of stems, leaves, and other residues from harvested crops in India.

It also demonstrates how spectral data light and other electromagnetic radiation collected by space-based instruments can accurately estimate greenhouse gas emissions on a massive scale.

“Indian farmers burn some 87 million tonnes of crop residues annually, surpassing the entire agricultural waste production of peers in neighbouring countries” the study said.

Explaining the seriousness of the issue, Dr. Dhanyalekshmi K. Pillai, Assistant Professor and Head of the Max Planck Partner Group, IISER Bhopal, said, “Crop residue burning has significant repercussions, as it releases pollutants and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, leading to severe and adverse impacts on climate, public health, and food security. Current agricultural practices are unsustainable and adequate technology interventions are crucial.”

Mr. Monish Deshpande, Research Scholar, Greenhouse Gas Modelling and Applications Group, IISER Bhopal, said, “The Indian government implemented measures to reduce crop residue burning, such as incentives for farmers for not burning and promoting biofuel production from residues”.

“The detailed mapping of these emissions can underpin successful policy interventions to control residue burning. Conservation agriculture, which involves reduced tillage and retaining residues as surface mulches, has long been studied and promoted by CIMMYT and partners” said Dr. Vijesh V. Krishna, a senior economist at CIMMYT.

The research was conducted by Mr. Monish Deshpande, Research Scholar, Greenhouse Gas Modelling and Applications Group, IISER Bhopal, within the framework of IISERB-CIMMYT collaborative project led by Dr. Dhanyalekshmi K. Pillai, Assistant Professor and Head of the Max Planck Partner Group, IISER Bhopal.