Crop Residue Generation and Management in Punjab State

Abstract

In our study the total production of the crop residues (CR) in Punjab state estimated by crop-to-residue ratio (CRR) method came out to be about 50.67 million tonnes (Mt) during 2013–14. Sangrur district had maximum contribution oj 9.52 per cent to the CR while it was the lowest being 0.92 per cent jor Pathankot. On an average, the CR produced was estimated to be 22.98 Mt, 2.5 Mt, l. HMt, 0.72 Mt in respect of paddy, cotton, maize, and sugarcane while it was 23.08 Mt, 7.4 thousand tonnes(tt), 44.9 tt, 2.6 tt and about one ttfor wheat, sarson, sunflower, gram and masoor respectively. Of the CR, about 71 per cent is mostly used for domestic purposes. Power generation potential from surplus crop residue came out to be about 1194 MWper year in the state and main crop residue potential districts were Sangrur (9.69 per cent), Ludhiana (8.19per cent), Bathinda (7.73per cent), Patiala (7.07%) and Ferozpur (6.04%). Among various efforts made by Punjab government to protect environment from pollution, one of the major steps is to stop crop residue burning as still Punjab is not free from this menace. If the residue from the crops is managed scientifically and used as a conventional source of energy it will go a long way to save the fossil fuel, coal, wood, precious foreign exchange, create additional employment, Besides, this will also add to the income of farmers from the by-product generated. Thus, for efficient management of the crop residues, there is a need to create awareness among the farming communities about the importance and efficient utilisation of this valuable natural resource.