Assessment of Rice and Wheat Straw Management Practices in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The rice-wheat cropping system is the output of agricultural production in Punjab, Pakistan. However, poor straw management techniques, open-field residue burning, and major risks to soil health and air quality. The purpose of this study was to analyze rice and wheat straw management techniques, identify major factors, and examine the adoption of major residue management technologies in District Sheikhupura. Primary data were collected from 154 rice and wheat farmers in five tehsils of Sheikhupura district using structured questionnaires, personal interviews, and field observations. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS. Widespread adoption of mechanized harvesting, with combines or Kubota harvesters used in about 93% of wheat and most rice areas. Wheat straw management was relatively sustainable, as 71.4% of farmers used straw choppers to produce fine straw, while only 2.6% practiced burning the residue. In rice, 88.3% of farmers managed straw without burning, although a small proportion continued to burn it due to lack of time, unavailability of machinery, and cost. Key barriers included high machinery operating costs (42.9%), limited access to appropriate equipment (29.9%), and concerns about the negative effects of incorporating residue on wheat germination (19.5%). Farmers showed strong awareness of the environmental and health impacts of residue burning, yet the adoption of environmentally friendly practices such as residue incorporation and mulching is limited due to economic, operational and technical barriers.