📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Dudley Miles
Agriculture
Madhya Pradesh records highest farm fire incidents at 354, Punjab follows with 220
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 19 Oct 2026, 08:32 AM
👁 15
Madhya Pradesh topped the list of Indian states with 354 farm fire incidents, while Punjab reported 220, according to recent data.
Official figures released this week show that Madhya Pradesh experienced 354 incidents of farm fires, the highest count among Indian states. Punjab recorded the second‑largest number with 220 cases, highlighting a regional pattern of agricultural burning during the current season.
The data, compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture in coordination with state forest departments, reflects a rise in open‑field burning as farmers prepare their land for the next sowing cycle. Authorities have warned that such fires contribute to air‑quality deterioration and pose risks to nearby communities.
State officials in Madhya Pradesh have announced plans to intensify monitoring and to provide alternatives to traditional burning methods, including subsidised equipment for residue management. Similar measures are being discussed in Punjab to curb the practice and mitigate its environmental impact.
Environmental groups have urged faster implementation of these measures, citing the cumulative effect of repeated fires on soil health and regional haze. The upcoming monsoon season may influence the frequency of such incidents, prompting continued vigilance from both state agencies and the farming community.
The latest figures underscore the need for coordinated policy responses to address farm‑fire practices across the country, balancing agricultural needs with environmental and public‑health concerns.
The data, compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture in coordination with state forest departments, reflects a rise in open‑field burning as farmers prepare their land for the next sowing cycle. Authorities have warned that such fires contribute to air‑quality deterioration and pose risks to nearby communities.
State officials in Madhya Pradesh have announced plans to intensify monitoring and to provide alternatives to traditional burning methods, including subsidised equipment for residue management. Similar measures are being discussed in Punjab to curb the practice and mitigate its environmental impact.
Environmental groups have urged faster implementation of these measures, citing the cumulative effect of repeated fires on soil health and regional haze. The upcoming monsoon season may influence the frequency of such incidents, prompting continued vigilance from both state agencies and the farming community.
The latest figures underscore the need for coordinated policy responses to address farm‑fire practices across the country, balancing agricultural needs with environmental and public‑health concerns.