Global Rice News

Addressing Air Pollution and Smog in Central Punjab

During the winter season, from October to January, Central Punjab experiences high levels of air pollution and smog. Various factors contribute to this issue, including the burning of rice stubble, vehicular traffic, industrial pollution, and construction activities.

It is estimated that rice stubble burning alone contributes to 30% of the overall smog problem. While Punjab has implemented laws and regulations, such as Section 144, to ban all crop and crop waste burning, enforcement alone is not enough to solve the problem. An affordable and practical solution is necessary.

Farmers’ Challenges and Alternative Solutions

To prepare their fields for the next crop, farmers must quickly remove the straw and stubble from their land. While machines have been introduced and subsidies offered to assist with this process, the problem persists.

A study by Harvard/MIT suggests that if farmers start burning stubble two hours earlier, there could be a 14% reduction in air pollution, potentially saving thousands of lives annually in Indian Punjab. The study also found that Basmati rice causes less pollution when stubble is burned.

Farmers argue that the dew on rice stubble makes it too wet for tilling, making burning the straw a low-cost and efficient solution. They also suggest that if the stubble can be sold at a higher price than the cost of cutting and collecting it, farmers would be more receptive to alternative methods.

Transforming Rice Stubble into a Commodity

Rice stubble has the potential to be a valuable commodity with various industrial uses. It can be employed in producing energy for biogas and ethanol, as well as bio-pellets for household and industrial furnaces.

In Punjab, there are over 10,000 brick kilns that currently burn coal. By introducing biomass pellets to replace 20% of the coal consumption, a new market can be created for rice stubble. Similar legislation in India has been successful in reducing coal consumption.

Biomass stoves that require pellets can also help reduce air pollution by replacing stubble burning in the field. With 8.5 million tonnes of rice residue produced annually, there is a significant amount of material that can be utilized for these purposes.

The Potential of Biogas and Bio-ethanol Production

In the production of biogas, rice stubble is converted into residue, treated, and then digested by bacteria in airless large vessels. The resulting raw biogas can be used as Bio-CNG or cleaned to produce almost pure Bio-methane. This can be used as an alternative to CNG in various sectors.

Bio-ethanol, made from bio-resources like rice residue, has export potential. In other countries, ethanol is mixed with petrol to create fuel blends. Pakistan can export bio-ethanol, similar to the export of ethanol made by the sugar industry. India has already built plants for biogas and bio-ethanol production using rice residue.

Turning Rice Stubble into Bales and Market Opportunities

Rice stubble can be converted into bales and marketed over a larger area. Provincial governments can assist with storage and logistics if needed. This resource can be used in steel furnaces and boilers, and there is potential for rural industrialization.

Ultimately, rice stubble, which is currently seen as a problem, can be transformed into a solution for air pollution and smog. By adopting alternative uses, such as employing it in brick kilns, increasing the mix percentage, and exploring other opportunities, Punjab can reduce pollution levels, boost industrialization, and create employment.

Source: Business Recorder