The Evergreen Revolution: Six ways to empower India’s no-burn agricultural future

Air pollution is a major cause of premature mortality globally and the problem is particularly acute in rapidly developing countries like India. Crop residue burning contributes substantially to this problem. Currently, 80 percent of agriculture in Northwest India uses a rice-wheat production system dependent on burning rice residue. New crop residue management systems are needed to drive a profitable, no-burn agricultural system of the future. One exists, in the form of the “Happy Seeder” technology, a tractor mounted implement that allows no-till and no-burn planting of wheat into fields mulched with rice crop residue. Although a crop residue burning ban is in place, and the Happy Seeder technology is tested, profitable and subsidized, it is not yet widely adopted.

Through two stakeholder dialogues and a Wicked Econ workshop, authors identified six recommendations they believe can lead to a no-burn agricultural system for Northwest India in the next five years, setting a precedent for Asian agriculture and beyond.

• Strengthen innovation networks to accelerate Happy Seeder adoption. Specifically, activate farmer-driven learning through innovation tools to increase Happy Seeder adoption and service provision.
• Clarify the business case for the Happy Seeder compared to other crop residue management options. Specifically, develop the business case for farmers and service providers specifying private costs and benefits, and the public policy case that also includes social and environmental metrics.
• Create model business plans for entrepreneurs to provide Happy Seeder services. Specifically, tailor plans to agro-economic zones, farm systems and service models.
• Implement an awareness and capacity-building initiative to rapidly scale Happy Seeder adoption. Specifically, co-design the initiative with key public and private sector institutions.
• Increase production and purchase of Happy Seeders through finance mechanisms. Specifically, increase manufacturing
  through purchase guarantees; and pilot additional purchase incentives such as low cost credit for service providers and farmers.
• Support the government’s enforcement of the ban on residue burning by demonstrating farmer access to cost-effective, sustainable alternatives. Specifically, increase policy maker confidence by implementing the preceding recommendations and communicating the viability of alternatives.