Stubble Trouble

Indian farmers often switch between growing rice and wheat. Before they can plough their land, they used to burn the stubble from the previous crop. This burning, of course, releases carbon dioxide, damages air quality in neighbouring cities, as well as killing many helpful soil microbes, reducing crop yields. There is now an effective alternative, where the stubble is sprayed with enzymes from tractors (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/dec/10/burning-issue-how-enzymes-could-end-indias-problem-with-stubble). In about a month, enzyme spraying converts the stubble into useful fertiliser, increasing yields of the next crop. The method has had large successful trials. It is hoped that the programme will end stubble buring on 2.3m hectares of agricultural land in India. That will reduce the annual release of carbon dioxide emissions by 1m tonnes. Real progress in the fight against global heating!