Shubhendu Kumar Behera, Dr Kalu Ram, Dr Avaneesh Kumar
Longleng
Introduction: Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture and long-term food security. Beyond supporting plant growth, soil is a living ecosystem that regulates nutrient cycling, water availability, carbon storage, and microbial diversity. However, continuous residue burning, excessive nutrient mining, and declining organic matter have adversely affected soil health in many agricultural regions. To promote scientific soil management and sustainable farming practices, the Government of India has launched Khet Bachao Abhiyan, a nationwide initiative encouraging farmers to conserve soil, recycle crop residues, and adopt environmentally responsible agricultural practices.
Paddy Straw: From Agricultural Waste to Valuable Resource
Rice cultivation occupies a significant area in Longleng district, generating substantial quantities of paddy straw after harvest. Traditionally, a portion of this straw is burned to facilitate rapid field preparation. Although this practice saves time, it leads to considerable losses of valuable plant nutrients and causes long-term degradation of soil quality.
Scientific studies have shown that burning one tonne of paddy straw results in the loss of approximately 5–7 kg nitrogen, 1–2 kg phosphorus, 12–15 kg potassium, and 1–2 kg sulphur, while simultaneously destroying beneficial soil microorganisms. Crop residue burning also reduces soil organic carbon, impairs nutrient cycling, weakens soil structure, and releases harmful greenhouse gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
In contrast, paddy straw is a nutrient-rich biological resource. Nearly 70–80% of the potassium absorbed by the rice crop remains stored in the straw, along with significant quantities of carbon and other essential nutrients. Recycling these residues enhances soil organic carbon, improves water-holding capacity, promotes earthworm activity, and stimulates beneficial microbial populations responsible for nutrient mineralization and improved soil fertility.
KVK Longleng initiatives under Khet Bachao Abhiyan
As part of Khet Bachao Abhiyan, ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Longleng is demonstrating practical, low-cost, and scientifically proven alternatives to residue burning. Farmers are being encouraged to utilize paddy straw for oyster mushroom cultivation, converting agricultural waste into nutritious food and an additional source of household income. Demonstrations on straw mulching in vegetable and fruit crops have shown significant benefits, including improved soil moisture conservation, weed suppression, moderated soil temperature, and gradual enrichment of soil organic matter. The KVK is also promoting composting, in-situ residue incorporation, and the use of processed paddy straw as livestock roughage, especially during periods of fodder scarcity. These practices recycle nutrients back into the soil, reduce dependence on external fertilizer inputs, and improve long-term soil productivity.
Towards Sustainable Agriculture
Crop residue recycling is a key principle of conservation agriculture and the circular bioeconomy. Returning biomass to the soil improves nutrient-use efficiency, enhances resilience against drought, minimizes soil erosion, and supports sustained crop productivity. More importantly, it transforms what was once considered agricultural waste into a valuable resource that contributes to both environmental conservation and farmers' livelihoods.
Conclusion
One message of Khet Bachao Abhiyan is simple yet powerful: crop residues should nourish the soil-not pollute the atmosphere. Every tonne of paddy straw recycled instead of burned contributes to healthier soils, improved biodiversity, enhanced nutrient availability, lower production costs, and sustainable agricultural development. By adopting the principle of “Burn Less, Build More,” farmers can restore soil health today while securing agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability for future generations.
Shubhendu Kumar Behera, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Pathology), ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Longleng
Dr Kalu Ram, Subject Matter Specialist (Fruit Science), ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Longleng
Dr Avaneesh Kumar, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Pathology) ICAR–Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Longleng
