Agricultural residue management in India: Unlocking economic potential

In India, agriculture is the main source of income for many people, where a variety of crops such as cereals, oilseeds, sugarcane and fibers are grown for consumption and other purposes. This results in the production of a significant amount of agro-waste, also known as agricultural residues. In India, stubble burning is a serious issue. Lack of better alternative methods leads to the open-field burning of crop waste by farmers. Previous studies have shown that setting crop residues on fire will destroy the soil, increase air pollution and also harm the land heating. Soil temperature is lethal to soil microbes. In addition to the potential for further pollution caused by the increased use of chemical fertilizers, the temperature of the soil necessitates higher economic costs for restoring its fertility. In this review paper, we examined the economic potential of agricultural waste management options available to India by reviewing the literature for crop establishment practices in which planting crops in standing stubble, implementing in-situ approaches along with composting methods, biofuel generation and use of waste as feedstock for value-added products. Educational and awareness campaigns are very essential for changing perceptions and attitudes of farmers toward crop residue burning. This paper also discusses government policies, technology and private sector participation for developing a circular economy in the agriculture sector.