Data Storytelling

What are the Alternatives to Crop Residue Burning in India?

SMM635 - Data Visualization

The Problem: Air Pollution Crisis in Delhi NCR

Every winter, Delhi faces severe air pollution

  • November 2021: AQI > 450 (hazardous)
  • Health impacts: respiratory issues, eye irritation, headaches
  • Major contributor: Crop residue burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh

Why do farmers burn crop residue?

  • Quick and cost-effective
  • 15-20 day window between rice harvest and wheat sowing
  • Mechanized harvesting leaves stubble in fields

Impact of the practice:

  • 36% of Delhi’s air pollution from crop burning
  • Low wind speeds trap smoke over Delhi NCR
  • Reduces soil health and microbial activity
  • Increases irrigation requirements
  • Loss of organic matter

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not for every man’s greed.” — Mahatma Gandhi

The CII Crop Residue Management Initiative

Program Overview

  • Partnership with NITI Aayog
  • Started in 2018 in Punjab’s Patiala and Ludhiana
  • Expanded to 226 villages across 10 districts by 2021
  • Reached 40,040 farmers, covering 199,867 acres

Key Results

  • 89% of farm area achieved zero or significantly reduced burning
  • 80% farmer adoption of sustainable practices in pilot areas

Intervention Strategies

  1. Awareness building - Mass campaigns on environmental impact
  2. Machinery deployment - Access to tools through cooperatives
  3. Technical training - Proper use of equipment
  4. Participatory management - Handholding farmers through transition

Funding Sources

  • Corporate CSR funds
  • Government support
  • Policy framework development

Sustainable Alternatives: In Situ vs Ex Situ Methods

In Situ (In-Field) Methods

Straw incorporation and mulching

Advantages:

  • Retains water, nutrients, organic matter
  • Improves soil health and microorganisms
  • Reduces irrigation needs

Requirements:

  • Access to specialized equipment
  • Rotavators, super seeders, mulchers
  • Suitable subsoil conditions

Ex Situ (Ex-Field) Methods

Collection and baling

Advantages:

  • Works with all soil types
  • Straw can be sold or repurposed
  • Creates additional income stream

Applications:

  • Animal bedding and feed (limited for rice)
  • Biomass energy production
  • Composting
  • Industrial uses

Success in other countries: China, Australia, East Asian nations have banned burning and adopted these methods

The Challenge: Convincing Stakeholders

Pradhan’s Dilemma

Chandrakant Pradhan needs to convince funding agencies to scale up the CRM initiative

Key Questions:

  • How to effectively present survey data?
  • What insights demonstrate program success?
  • Is there evidence of long-term pollution reduction?
  • How to show the ground reality faced by farmers?

Available Data from Surveys

  • Farmer details: state, district, village, land size
  • CRM practices adopted (2019 vs 2020)
  • Tools used and their sources
  • Farmer feedback on:
    • Water consumption changes
    • Fertilizer consumption
    • Weed infestation
    • Pest infestation

The Power of Data Storytelling

“Numbers have an important story to tell. They rely on you to give them a clear and convincing voice.” — Stephen Few

Discussion Questions

For Class Discussion:

  1. Data Exploration: What are the most important metrics to track in the CRM survey data? How would you measure the success of the initiative?

  2. Stakeholder Perspectives: Different stakeholders (corporates, policymakers, farmers) have different priorities. How should Pradhan tailor his data story for each audience?

  3. Behavioral Change: Stubble burning is described as a “behavioral issue.” What role does data visualization play in changing farmer behavior versus providing financial incentives?

  4. Sustainability vs Practicality: Given that farmers have only 15-20 days between harvests, what barriers exist to adoption of sustainable practices? How does the data reveal these constraints?

  5. Scaling Up: Based on the case, what evidence would convince you (as a potential funder) to invest in expanding this program to other states?

Think about: How would you use the survey data to tell a compelling story that balances environmental urgency with practical farmer constraints?