There is always a solution

The ill-effects of crop residue burning go beyond air pollution. Crop burning also results in loss of fertility and micro flora of the soil. Not only that, the deposition of particles on leaves lowers the rate of photosynthesis, further affecting carbon dioxide fixation and oxygen release. It also inhibits crop growth and productivity, thereby encouraging use of fertilisers in future crop cycles, hence leaving behind an ever-larger ecological footprint. Farmers are aware of these ill-effects, but the restricted availability and the high cost of alternatives force them to go down the stubble burning route. The need of the hour is to provide farmers with financially viable alternatives.