Abstract
In the middle of 2019, Thailand introduced an urgent measure to solve the haze and fine particles problem caused by preharvest sugarcane. The measure is to eradicate the burning of sugarcane before harvesting within the next four years. This study focuses on estimation of future reduced air emissions from the implementation of this measure. The study results showed that without the implementation of the measure in the production season 2022/23, the amount of burned sugarcane will be as high as 102.4 ± 1.0 Mt/yr, resulting in the release of small particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5) emissions into the atmosphere at 30.6 ± 8.6 kt/yr, which is about a 21% increase in emissions from the 2018/19 season. However, with the government’s enforcement of the measure to reduce burned sugarcane, the amount of air emissions will immediately be reduced in the first year. In order to effectively implement the sugarcane burning reduction measure, in which the harvesting methods will change from cutting burned sugarcane to cutting fresh sugarcane with human labor and with machinery, the government must provide financial support, to farmers, of approximately 3.3 USD per ton of fresh sugarcane for the use of human labor and 2.9 USD per ton of fresh sugarcane for the use of machinery. The costs of investment to reduce PM2.5 emissions can be calculated in the range of 9.7−11.0 million USD per kiloton of PM2.5.
Highlights
In 2017, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that there were 102 countries with sugarcane cultivation, with a total of 26 million hectares (Mha) of sugarcane-cultivated land, and a total of 1842 million tons (Mt) of fresh sugarcane produced
The researchers have selected the appropriate value for each variable related to the evaluation of air pollution from preharvest sugarcane burning by reviewing numerous past studies that are suitable for the Thailand context
2007/08−2018/19, burned sugarcane in Thailand tended to continuously increase, resulting in more air pollution, and it can be predicted that air emissions will continue to increase in the future
Summary
In 2017, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that there were 102 countries with sugarcane cultivation, with a total of 26 million hectares (Mha) of sugarcane-cultivated land, and a total of 1842 million tons (Mt) of fresh sugarcane produced. The country that produced the most sugarcane was Brazil, which could produce up to 759 Mt (equivalent to 41% of total sugarcane), followed by India and China, which produced 306 Mt (17%) and 104 Mt (6%) respectively. 2018/2019 [2], Thailand had a total area of 2.0 Mha to produce fresh sugarcane as raw materials for. 131 Mt. The sugarcane purchased from farmers by sugar factories was divided into fresh sugarcane and burned sugarcane, accounting for 51 Mt or 39% of total sugarcane and 80 Mt or 61% respectively. As of 2019, there were 56 sugar factories in operation in Thailand, producing a total of 1.46 Mt of sugar
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
