Crop residue management alternatives in south western Punjab- An economic analysis Singh Sukhdeep1,*, Ranguwal Sangeet1, Sharma Nidhi2 1Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India 2Welfare Officer, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India *Corresponding author: sukhbuttar94@gmail.com
Online Published on 16 October, 2023. Abstract Considering the earnest need for well managed CRM system with good potential of resource use, the present study was carried out for economic evaluation of CRM alternatives in South-Western Punjab. Primary data were collected for the year 2020-21 from 120 farmers using pre-tested schedule through personal interview method. The annual agricultural residue production was 40807.88 quintals (Qtls) with average being 14.66 Qtls per acre. Complete burning (CB) was the major residue management method (RMM) followed in case of paddy (basmati and non-basmati) while complete removal (CR) was main RMM for cotton, wheat, mustard and guar. ROVC per acre was higher by about  1200 for complete incorporation (CI) and by 56 for partial burning (PB) than CB for wheat sown after paddy and was 1500 for CI of basmati residue. Among cotton RMMs, the ROVC was more for CI than CR by 1500 per acre. Steps like compensation to farmers by integrating the cost of RM in the MSP, assured availability of RM machinery at reduced rates, improved custom hire services and extension services are needed to deal with the state’s practice of stubble burning. Top Keywords Crop residue, Generation, Management, Returns and Variable Costs. Top |