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Agriculture
Madhya Pradesh records highest paddy residue burning incidents, study shows
✍️ BusinessLine
🗓 17 Oct 2026, 06:06 AM
👁 15
A recent agricultural report finds Madhya Pradesh leading India in paddy residue burning, while incidents fall in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
A new agricultural survey released by the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in open-field burning of paddy residue during the recent cropping season. The data, compiled from satellite monitoring and ground reports, places the state at the top of the national list for such incidents.
The report highlights that the practice remains prevalent in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, where farmers resort to burning rice straw to clear fields for the next sowing cycle. Environmental groups have warned that the smoke contributes to severe air quality deterioration, especially during the winter months.
While Madhya Pradesh tops the list, the same survey notes a downward trend in residue burning incidents in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that mitigation measures adopted in those states may be taking effect. Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have been urged to intensify awareness campaigns and promote alternative residue management techniques such as mulching, composting, and the use of happy seeders.
The Ministry has pledged additional financial incentives for farmers who adopt certified residue‑management practices, aiming to curb the health and ecological impacts of open burning across the country.
The report highlights that the practice remains prevalent in several districts of Madhya Pradesh, where farmers resort to burning rice straw to clear fields for the next sowing cycle. Environmental groups have warned that the smoke contributes to severe air quality deterioration, especially during the winter months.
While Madhya Pradesh tops the list, the same survey notes a downward trend in residue burning incidents in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that mitigation measures adopted in those states may be taking effect. Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have been urged to intensify awareness campaigns and promote alternative residue management techniques such as mulching, composting, and the use of happy seeders.
The Ministry has pledged additional financial incentives for farmers who adopt certified residue‑management practices, aiming to curb the health and ecological impacts of open burning across the country.