Uncovering the Roots of Stubble Burning: A Deeper Look into Systemic Agricultural Challenges
Stubble burning has long been recognized as a major environmental issue in India, particularly in the agrarian regions of Punjab. While the thick smoke and declining air quality draw immediate attention, the roots of the problem run far deeper than just post-harvest field clearing. In a groundbreaking research study titled “Governmentality and Marketing System Failure: The Case of Stubble Burning and Climate Change in Neoliberal India”, Dr. Sujit Raghunathrao Jagadale and Dr. Javed Shaikh from IIM Amritsar explore the underlying systemic causes driving this practice.
Published in the Journal of Macromarketing, their work sheds light on the entrenched socio-political and economic forces that influence farmers’ decisions. According to the researchers, stubble burning is not merely a matter of agricultural routine, but a manifestation of larger, more complex failures in policy, market dynamics, and governance.
The Three Core Themes
The study identifies three central themes contributing to the persistence of stubble burning:
1. Governmentality and Bureaucratic Complexity: The ways in which government policies are framed and enforced often overlook ground realities, pushing farmers toward short-term survival strategies rather than sustainable alternatives.
2. Hegemonic Commissioning Agents: These middlemen dominate the procurement process, leaving farmers with limited autonomy and few incentives to adopt eco-friendly practices.
3. Marginalization of Farmers: In the face of overlapping pressures from both the market and the state, farmers often find themselves cornered—without access to adequate resources or viable alternatives to burning crop residue.
More Than Just Fire: A Systemic Crisis
This research argues that stubble burning is a symptom of a broader systemic failure, not simply an environmentally harmful habit. The distorted interactions within India’s agricultural landscape—where state controls, market mechanisms, and socio-economic limitations collide—have created a scenario in which many farmers feel they have no choice but to burn.
Towards a Sustainable Future
The solution, the researchers suggest, lies in developing an inclusive farm waste value chain—a system that transforms agricultural residue into valuable resources. Such a model would promote agricultural circularity, benefit-sharing, and environmental regeneration, while empowering farmers rather than penalizing them.
By restoring the regenerative capacity of farming systems, this approach can address both environmental and socio-economic concerns. It would also pave the way for a more equitable agricultural system where sustainability is not a burden, but a shared goal.
Bridging Local Challenges with Global Implications
IIM Amritsar applauds this pioneering research for its dedication to solving local challenges with global environmental and economic relevance. It is a testament to how academic inquiry can inform public discourse, influence policy, and support more just and sustainable futures for farmers across the nation.
