Burning stubble can exacerbate the coronavirus crisis: experts

Last year’s stubble burning contributed 44% of Delhi pollution. (File)

Chandigarh:

Agricultural and environmental experts have warned that burning stubble, which is expected to begin later this month before the rabbi crop sowing season, could exacerbate the coronavirus crisis.

“If no alternative to burning stubble is taken, pollutants such as particulate matter and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and methane can also affect the respiratory tract, so the situation with COVID 19 It can cause serious respiratory problems that can be exacerbated, “Sanjeve Nagpal, also an advisor to the Union and Punjab State Government on crop residue management, told PTI on Sunday.

“Last year, about 50,000 cases of stubble were reported in Punjab. Burning stubble brings about 18-40% of particulate matter to the atmosphere of the northern plains, as well as methane, carbon monoxide, and carcinogenesis. Hydrocarbons, which emit large amounts of toxic pollutants such as sex polycyclic aromatics, “said Nagpal, MD of Samplen Agriventures Private Limited (SAVPL).

According to the Department of Earth Sciences Air Quality and Meteorological Forecast Research System (SAFAR), last year’s stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana contributed 44% of NCR Delhi’s pollution.

Nagpal said burning stubble not only causes massive air pollution, but also affects the health of soil that is already in poor condition in Punjab.

He said the combination of stubble burning and years of excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers reduced soluble silica, carbon and other essential nutrients in the soil.

“Silicon (Si) is one of the most common soil macroelements and plays an essential role in healing plants in response to environmental stress. Loss of soluble silica in soil makes humans more There is a deficiency of silica that exposes many people. The threat of COVID 19 and other illnesses, “said Nagpal.

“Insufficient amounts of silica in humans reduce the immune response to viruses and pathogens,” he added.

Punjab alone produces more than 55 metric tons of crop residues each year, of which more than 40% was found to be surplus, he said.

Nagpal said the solution lies in the large-scale collection of crop residues from farmers at prices by various plants and state governments, their storage, and the use of technology for conversion to organic fertilizers and biogas. It was.

Nagpal’s SAVPL project in Fazilka, Punjab, devised this technology in connection with IIT, PAU and Ludhiana. He claimed that the project bought about 10,000 tonnes of rice straw last year, benefiting about 500 farmers.

The plant is currently producing 8 tonnes of silica fertilizer per day for a total capacity of 25 tonnes per day, which means that the project’s capacity will process 15,000 tonnes of crop residues each year. Stated.

“Our concept is to treat stubble to produce silica-rich fertilizers that improve soil health and food quality, thereby improving people’s health. Through conversion, the Punjab state government I hope it will play a role in the model of crop residue management. It has been converted to fertilizer so that it can be replicated throughout the state, “Nagpal said.

“This not only solves the stubble burning problem, but also helps produce healthy foods, which lowers the price of high quality foods for farmers and allows consumers to buy directly from farmers at reasonable prices. can.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from the Syndicate Feed.)

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