Agricultural Waste Management Through Crop Residue Management

Abstract

Crop residue management (CRB) is a global environmental, economic, and health concern. CRB, a common practice in developing countries, is a long-term agricultural waste management strategy. It harms air quality, soil health, and human well-being. It persists due to labor shortages, economic constraints, and limited access to alternative technologies despite its widespread negative consequences. CRB management includes surface retention, mulching, and farm mechanization are examples of on-field management methods; off-field methods include baling, livestock feed supplementation, composting, mushroom cultivation, biochar production, biogas generation, and industrial applications. Modern machinery, such as the Happy Seeder, enables zero-tillage farming and crop residue management. Long-term solutions are required to address this issue. An integrated approach is required to agricultural waste management, combining technological innovation with policy support and community engagement, to reduce the adverse effects of crop residue burning while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.