Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has emerged as a national exemplar in tackling paddy stubble burning through a technology-driven, mechanisation-led approach that combines research innovation, large-scale extension and strong policy support. In Punjab’s dominant paddy–wheat system, the short window between rice harvest and wheat sowing had long compelled farmers to burn residues, causing severe air pollution, nutrient loss and soil degradation. Scientific evidence shows that burning one tonne of paddy straw leads to major losses of soil organic carbon and essential plant nutrients, underlining the environmental cost of this practice.
Over the past eight years, sustained public investment in straw management machinery—supported by subsidies, custom hiring centres and PAU’s extension outreach—has transformed residue management across the state. The growing deployment of Happy Seeders, Super Seeders, Straw Choppers, Mulchers and Smart Seeders has expanded the area managed without burning and led to a marked decline in satellite-detected fire events. What was once a widespread practice is now being steadily replaced by in situ residue management and alternative uses of straw.
PAU has played a pivotal role in this transition by developing and promoting residue management technologies suited to Punjab’s field conditions and by advancing crop varieties that facilitate early sowing and residue retention. Long-term trials at PAU show that retaining residues improves soil structure and significantly enhances soil organic carbon compared to burning. Farmers adopting these practices report better soil moisture conservation, weed suppression and lower input costs for wheat. With the added potential of carbon credits for climate-positive practices, Punjab’s mechanisation-led model is increasingly being cited as a national blueprint for eliminating stubble burning through science-backed, farmer centric solutions.