Uttar Pradesh sees 46% less stubble burning under CM Yogi Adityanath's tenure

Uttar Pradesh has recorded 46 percent decrease in the stubble burning incidents in the last seven-year-tenure of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. According to the available data, stubble burning cases in Uttar Pradesh fell from 8,784 in 2017 to 3,996 in 2023, marking a significant decline.

In a press release, the government has cited its strict policies and incentive-driven approach for decrease in the stubble burning incidents. The release further mentioned that the initiative, taken by the state government, focussed on educating farmers about harmful effects of burning stubble and encouraging them to adopt composting or sow wheat directly into the stubble using seed drills.

While the awareness campaign for farmers continues, the government is also supplying 7.5 bio-decomposers for on-field stubble composting. As per the estimate, one bottle of decomposer is enough to compost stubble in one acre of farmland. Besides this, a fine of Rs 15,000 is also imposed for stubble burning.


The release mentioned that farmers not only damage their farms, but also risk their future crops by burning straw. Crucial nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash (NPK), along with billions of beneficial soil bacteria and fungi are destroyed due to the burning. According to the release, research shows that the leftover stalks contain 0.5% nitrogen, 0.6% phosphorus, and 1.5% potash. “If these residues are composted in the field instead of being burned, the soil absorbs these nutrients, reducing the need for fertilizers by up to 25% for the next crop,” the release mentioned.

A study by the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group found that burning stubble in just one acre leads to the loss of 400 kg of valuable carbon, along with 10-40 crore beneficial bacteria and 1-2 lakh fungi per gram of soil.

Farmers are given suggestions to manage the stubble effectively by ploughing it deep into the field and irrigating. One can spray 5 kg of urea per acre before irrigation to speed up decomposition. Specific cultures for decomposition are also available.