Crop residue refers to plant biomass generated pre- and post-harvest or grazing, once deemed waste but now recognized as valuable soil input. The residue is now considered a co-product alongside grains, with competing uses emerging due to its significant value.
What are the uses of crop residue?
Crop residue uses vary among states. Traditionally, plant residues serve multiple purposes: animal feed, fuel, thatching, packaging, and compost. Cereal residues are used primarily as cattle feed; rice straw and husks are used for fuel. In Punjab and Haryana, rice residues are often burned due to limited usage. India has an estimated 141 Mt surplus, with cereals and fiber crops contributing the most.
Advantages of recycling crop residues in agriculture?
Recycling residues benefits by converting waste into useful nutrients for crops, vital for soil protection, organic matter preservation, and optimal nutrient cycling, essential for sustainable agriculture.
Crop residue management
Efforts have led to the development of conservation, agriculture-based crop management technologies that are more resource-efficient than conventional practices. The future of agriculture and farming technology lies in the efficient use of crop residues.
- Baling and removing the straw
An alternative to burning crop residues involves their removal from the field for utilization elsewhere. This method, known as baling or collection, involves using specialized machinery such as a raker and baler. The raker gathers straw into rows, while the baler compacts it into rectangular or cylindrical bales. Once baled, custom-built trolleys transport the straw to end users or conversion plants. This approach reduces burning and generates less residue during harvesting. Although bailing is not promoted as it is a more commercial activity, bailed material is also used for burning in a thermal power plant, which leaves no residue on the field.
Bailed residue can be used for:
- Livestock feed
- Bio-oil production
- Biogas production
- Biochar production
- Compost
- Surface retention and mulching
Mulching, a conservation and climate-smart practice, involves leaving crop residues on the soil surface as cover. Utilizing technology such as happy seeders and zero tillage aids in surface residue retention. Research shows that retaining residues on soil surface for longer periods can boost soil NO3 by 46%, N uptake by 29%, and yields by 37% compared to burning. Additionally, residue management affects soil moisture, temperature, aggregate formation, and weed suppression. Rice residue mulching offers various benefits, improving soil structure, nutrient cycling, and microbial diversity.
- Residue incorporation
Crop residue incorporation entails blending the residue with the topsoil layer (0-15cm). This process begins with chopping and spreading the straw evenly, akin to mulching. However, unlike mulching, the straw isn’t left on the surface but mixed into the soil. This in-situ incorporation enhances soil nutrients such as N, P, K, and SOM.
Is crop residue management the future of farm productivity?
Crop residue management holds promise for enhancing farm productivity through soil health improvements, nutrient retention, and sustainable practices, suggesting a pivotal role in future agricultural productivity.
Crop residue management is poised to be a game-changer for farm productivity.
A Soil Superstar! Crop residue, those leftover stalks, leaves, and stems after harvest, are like black gold for farmland. When managed effectively, they act as a natural soil conditioner, offering a multitude of beneficial results:
- Boosted fertility. Residues decompose over time, releasing valuable nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
- Moisture marvel. A layer of residue mulch helps retain soil moisture, crucial during dry periods and in regions with erratic rainfall. This translates to less water usage and increased drought tolerance for crops.
- Erosion eraser. Residue cover acts as a barrier, shielding the soil from wind and water erosion. This protects the precious topsoil, where most nutrients and microbial activity reside.
- Happy microbiome. Crop residues provide a food source and habitat for earthworms, beneficial bacteria, and fungi. This thriving soil microbiome improves nutrient cycling and overall soil health.
Beyond the Basics, effective residue management does more than simply leaving leftovers on the field. Here are some key strategies:
- Tillage tweaks. Conservation tillage practices like no-till or reduced tillage minimize soil disturbance, allowing for better residue retention.
- Cover cropping. Planting cover crops in between main cropping seasons adds more organic matter to the soil and improves residue decomposition.
- Precision placement. Advanced techniques like chopping or banding residues helps address potential issues such as nitrogen immobilization (temporary reduction in available nitrogen).
- Protect GHG’s emission. Burning crop residue releases toxic gases into the environment . A one-ton burning releases 1,460 kg CO2 into the environment
By adopting these practices, farmers can expect:
- Higher Yields. Healthier soil translates to stronger, more productive plants.
- Reduced Costs. Less reliance on fertilizers, pesticides, and tillage lowers input costs.
- Sustainable Future. Improved soil health and reduced erosion ensure long-term farm productivity and environmental benefits.
Crop residue management is not just a trend, but a sustainable approach that holds a key to unlocking the true potential of our farmlands—a win-win for farmers, the environment, and for ensuring a food-secure future for all. All this can be achieved with one of the top rural development NGOs leading the project/ movement.
The top sustainable rural development NGO in India
Our Reach & Impact
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4.94 Million
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2,561
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64
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12
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S M Sehgal Foundation empowers rural communities in India through grassroots development initiatives, fostering economic, social, and environmental progress, and with a vision is to empower every individual in rural India to lead a secure, prosperous, and dignified life.
A success story
Karam Singh, a farmer from the village of Bhor Saidan in Kurukshetra, owns eight acres of fertile land. Traditionally, he adhered to the rice-wheat cropping cycle, a common practice in the region. However, in a meeting with the S M Sehgal Foundation team, he learned about the harmful effects of crop residue burning, which moved him to make a change. He acquired a super-seeder machine, investing INR 90,000 of his own money, with the remaining cost covered by the foundation’s CSR-supported crop-residue management project.
The super seeder brought about significant improvements. Not only did Karam stopped crop burning on his own land, but he also extended this benefit to another 140 acres by renting out the machine to fellow farmers at a rate of INR 2,000 per acre. This initiative helped prevent environmental damage and proved to be financially rewarding for Karam. He earned INR 2,80,000 from the rentals, netting a profit of INR 1,00,000.
The benefits didn’t stop there. Integrating the crop stubble into the soil and sowing wheat with the super seeder, along with appropriate fertilization, led to an increase in yield from 22 quintals to 26 quintals per acre. This boost in productivity translated into a higher income, underscoring the dual advantages of environmentally friendly farming techniques and enhanced agricultural output.
FAQs
Rice straw, wheat straw, rice husk, and maize stover are examples of agriculture residue. These materials are typically left on the fields following harvests and are burned or utilized as landfill material or fodder.
Crop residue burning is the practice of intentionally setting fire to leftover plant material after harvest, leading to air pollution and release of greenhouse gases in the environment.
The composition of crop residues varies but typically includes cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other organic compounds.
Crop residue is used for various purposes like animal feed, fuel, compost, thatching, and packaging, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
Plant residue serves as animal feed, fuel, and raw material for compost, among other uses, supporting resource efficiency in agriculture. It can also use for paper making, biochar conversion, and ethanol production.
Agricultural residues find applications in livestock feed, energy production, composting, and soil improvement, enhancing agricultural sustainability.
Leaving crop residue helps improve soil fertility, moisture retention, and erosion prevention, promoting sustainable land management practices.
Crop residue management involves strategies to handle and utilize leftover plant material sustainably, reducing environmental impacts.
The crop residue management strategy includes techniques like baling, mulching, and residue incorporation, minimizing waste and enhancing soil health.
The national policy for managing crop residue reduces air pollution from crop burning and promotes sustainable agricultural practices for environmental protection.
The 1000 RS/ per acre scheme in Haryana incentivizes farmers to adopt alternative methods to crop residue burning, encouraging sustainable land management practices.
Examples of high-residue crops include wheat, rice, maize, and sugarcane, highlighting the importance of responsible residue management.
Burning crop residue releases gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and health hazards.
Pollution from burning crops contributes to air pollution, respiratory problems, and environmental degradation, underscoring the need for sustainable residue management practices.
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