Behind India’s winter smog: not stubble-burning, but free water, power & mostly STUPIDITY | ep 305

[@ThePrintIndia]

Please support good journalism by paying for it. Subscribe to ThePrint. Links for both domestic & overseas subscribers are provided here: theprint.in/subscribe/

[@nathannathan4907]

If Only other journalists were even half of you in being constructive instead of crying and playing the blame game all the time

[@rajibkumarmodak6325]

Your analysis soo much eye opening to us. Please keep continuing this good job.

[@elbaecc]

So true. I watch TheWire videos from time to time, which also claims to be "independent media asking the right questions that need asking" (or some such BS), and all Karan Thapar does there is whine about GST and De-Mon. I mean, its been years, mate, and many experts have told you its effects are long past! But he seems stuck in the leftist blame game that he refuses to come out of. ThePrint and CTC specifically are just golden standard when it comes to real non-partial non-biased reporting of issues with historical context.

[@amityadav72]

Koi uhigur muslimo ko bachawo ..kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZXThZtsbNCXoZo

[@honestman5440]

Shekhar Gupta & "The Print" mostly misleading the public. GOVT'S & COURTS ARE FOR RICH INDUSTRIALISTS WHO ARE POLLUTING ROUND THE YEAR. Why is he not comparing & sharing the per acre earnings of farmers from the paddy vs the alternatives he's suggesting like cultivation of maize? Or even fruits and vegetables? Actually, the maize or potatoes are giving the farmers very less returns. It's often seen that the farmers have been throwing potatoes on the roads as they are not getting even the investment cost. www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/civic-issues/article/potato-price-fall-worrying-punjabs-farmers/187797

[@elbaecc]

@@honestman5440 Reported for spam. Posting the same ill-formed comment over and over again as a means of slander. British chale gaye lekin tum jaise ghade abhi bhi unki divide and rule policy ka paalan kar rahe ho.

[@shouryaumang6211]

This is the best exposition on the stubble burning issue I have come across. Most journalist houses rather than looking at policy issues just point fingers at a few people, obviously that doesn't help anyone.

[@amitmahto68]

If he puts up his references in description,it would definitely increase this video's credibility

[@harindersingh3706]

The original article www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/12191-law-aiding-monsanto-reason-delhi-s-annual-smoke-season

[@amitmahto68]

@Sbgolmaalhai lol

[@yogamarga6743]

Here is you ref 😊 www.pgurus.com/shame-on-you-shekhar-gupta-for-plagiarizing/

[@manurr10]

• Marz badta gaya jyun jyun dava ki • Cleaning symptom and not the root cause • 30 yo problem • North India • Knee jerk reactions • Root cause: ◦ Water ◦ Power ◦ Compulsion ◦ STUPIDITY: economic, political • Farmers in Punjab and Haryana growing too much rice • Adds to rice surplus >>> export subsidy • Exporting water overseas: ◦ 1ton rice = 70000 tons of water ◦ 12 million ton • irrigation: ◦ Punjab: 98% ◦ Haryana: 90% ◦ Free water ◦ Ground water exploitation • Power: ◦ Tubewells ◦ Canal irrigation • Incentivising: ◦ FCA: confirmed price • Labour from UP and Bihar • Groundwater depletion • Compulsion: ◦ Punjab and Haryana Preservation of Subsoil Act: ‣ Can’t plant paddy in April or may ‣ Dry weather ‣ Preserve ground water ‣ Plant paddy in June ‣ Harvest late October: smog ◦ Have to plant wheat: Rabi ◦ Desperate compulsion to burn and quickly get land ready • Solution: ◦ Shift from rice >>> maize/vegetables/fruits ◦ Corn is not in demand in India ◦ Surplus maize: ‣ Corn >>> ethanol ‣ Food vs fuel ◦ Maize can be converted to ethanol: ‣ National Biofuel Policy (2019) ‣ Nudge/behavioural change ◦ Incentive/disincentives: ◦ Pani bachao paisa banao: ‣ Punjab ‣ Farmers needed to charged for water ‣ World Bank project ‣ Paying farmer to not use water/power ◦ National level campaign

[@sanjay1962qed]

Very insightful story by Shekhar Gupta. I only have one suggestion that instead of replacing paddy with corn, why not replace it with nutritious non-GMO millets. There are stories even suggesting vested interests of American Agri giant Monsanto in pushing Corn and Ethanol etc. Instead of growing GM Corn, of American origin. We should replace paddy crops with millets. There is a growing global food trend favoring millets.

[@bimkivi]

Absolutely brilliant , wish our Politicians and bureaucrats could think and plan this way.

[@rajendrashrivastav1299]

Very intelligent comments and Kudos to Shekhar Gupta to have made this video. Worth viewing by people , common man , public and leaders to implement / follow, if his analysis is true.

[@anonymousfellowindian]

Simple solution. Announce that government will not buy any paddy next 5 years. Farmers in Haryana and Punjab will stop planting paddy immediately and shift to other crops.

[@just_very_queer]

it can create short term ciris in state , not worth it

[@MithileshKumar-gn2cg]

If this argument of exporting water due to export of food grains is believed then India should not export cooked food, fruits, beef etc also as all of them need more water than grains like rice.

[@devakumarkrishnamoorthy7720]

Generating electricity from straw is the only option.Already many sugar factories have Co generation facility with bagasse and with their help electricity generation can be done

[@uSerNaMe_eh]

I just want to yell and rant so bad after watching this This report is very important

[@S4Swadhin]

I want to know from where GOVT is getting rice for the Rs 2 per KG rice and Rs 5 rupee meals.

[@sohailahmed2793]

In wb we get 2 rupees rice and 6 dal

[@nikhilbeniwal4197]

@@sohailahmed2793 But why ? It will cost way more than that.

[@sohailahmed2793]

@@nikhilbeniwal4197 its a Very very cheap quality rice special for under poverty people available at ration Shop... Though we can also buy such at price of 8

[@deepanshukaulphilip5676]

He mentioned FCI that collects the produce from farmer and pays him MSP. The rice is for poor people and is paid by the government as subsidy. Food subsidy is one of the Highest subsidy in India along with fuel.

[@wisdomsmile5991]

Hello sir that you so much for taking your time and enlightening the history of Nagaland, when other media are doing paid publicity. Well apart for your history I would like to add some key points that (TUENSANG district ) now call as (frontier Nagaland) was never part of Assam governances or neither britisher have rule. So due to lack of knowledge we were used as bargaining agent for Nagaland state in 1963 and till now we’re are being used by some people for there glory. (Can even refer article 371a)

[@randomrandom316]

Agree with the analysis overall but I am quite worried as to why we can't charge farmers for the power they consume or for the stubble that they burn. This threat of vote and thus the resulting vote bank politics is the Achilles heal of our democracy. Really worrisome and sad.

[@meditating010]

Why is it so hard for Delhi and everyone else in all metro cities to say on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday I would not drive, only bicycles - I tell you - pollution in these cities will be dramatically reduced. and just convert all incoming vehicles to use EVs - have incentives to do so... lungs are more important than saving your butt that hurts while riding bicycles - no govt. no farmer community nothing can decide - only all people of India will have to sacrifice. I grew up in Delhi and I can say in early 80s it wasn't that bad, it was bad but not this much - the explosion of every home owning a car - perhaps its their right perhaps not - who am I to argue with it, I just know I miss old Delhi and nearby areas where I could breath fresh crisp air, in winters I could smell early morning dew and could run around local park without feeling like I am going to throw up soon.

[@edisonbrain]

Good economic and policy analysis not usually expected from journalists. It is however incomplete. Shouldn't they just scrap the "Preservation of subsoil water act" in Punjab and Haryana that forces farmers to be in a mad rush to clear up with fields. This seems the fastest and easiest thing to do because there are no political consequences. The only people you will upset are the idiots who came up with this law. Everything else is much harder to do. You are not going to be able to force farmers to avoid planting paddy - they will plant what they find most profitable.

[@JatinSharma-vk4en]

Mujhe yaad hai jab aapne soniya ghandhi Ka interview liya tha

[@appuappu1165]

You are right sir but again we need to increase exports because that is the only way we can save our economy.. instead of suggesting reduction in exports of rice how about exploring alternatives for stubble burning... I personally feel this is not right time to stop our exports because we need to maintain the balance, just not rice but anytg that we can produce and export.. economy is a bigger picture for us and that cannot be ignored and speaking of stubble burning there are scientific alternatives we can explore.. speaking of STUPIDITY I would call people stupid for buying cars which adds to the pollution instead of using public transportation... they are willing to die from lung cancer but do not want to give up ostentatious lifestyle.

[@riteshdalal0]

The biggest reason behind this is the big difference b/w the prize of paddy and any other crops

[@rajeshbobba3851]

Solution is to cultivate pulses, India is a pulses deficit country,and India import millions of tons of pulses.

[@saurabh.shringarpure]

Policymakers should watch the Print.

[@lordx4641]

Indians should watch and gain some common sense they lack leadership amd comm9n sense

[@saurabh.shringarpure]

@@lordx4641 Yes we should. Thanks.

[@aravindbachu5502]

behavioural change cannot be bought by a personal nudge - it has to be economical one. The stupid laws like Minimum support price for rice is the reason for this glut of rice output. If it was market linked, farmers would have stopped growing paddy long ago. Stop the MSP and see the results. Moreover the support price keeps getting hiked periodically - which turns into a vicious cycle.

[@standman007]

Pure Journalism sir. I liked this episode very very much

[@dwightschrute5979]

Being a UPSC aspirant, this is one the most complete answer to the stubble burning question. Thank you!

[@adityasatpute4337]

half of his viewers are upsc aspirants.

[@rahulrp90]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5bUl2aag9Z5brs

[@rahulrp90]

@@adityasatpute4337 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5bUl2aag9Z5brs

[@shekhargarhwal9516]

S Gupta hates UPSC holders because he couldnt make it

[@minirajan3578]

You will definitely fail, if you write all of what he says.....giving examples of temperate zone measures in tropical country.... Take only the stats.. Ignore the measures

[@nikthinks]

I like how you criticize the government with a constructive feedback and appreciate where the credit is due. That's called positive journalism. I'm a BJP supporter but I criticize them when they are wrong... A common belief is that bhakts don't like criticizing modi government... That's not true at all... For example i hate BJP government in Haryana

[@sudhangshudas3099]

Blind bhakts are spoiling the image of true BJP supporters like you and I. I also hate the BJP unit of Delhi.

[@lordx4641]

@@sudhangshudas3099 lol its not a bjp exclusive pr9blem this is normally stupidity of ppl who don't wanna do shit but throw it in politics this has been happening and these stupid farmers if only they had smart and had commonsense

[@nikthinks]

@@sudhangshudas3099 I agree, but blind supporters are everywhere. Take for example the supporters of AAP, they act like many of them are on cocain. And I second, BJP unit of Delhi is pathetic.

[@shekhargarhwal9516]

BJP supporter even after economic slowdown, record-breaking unemployment, lynchings...lol....aakhen kholo..tum bhakt ho

[@lordx4641]

@@shekhargarhwal9516 lol moron u r too naive to know the integrated worldide propaganda live in ur small dimwitted world of ignorance. The fact that u r repeating the fake lynching paopaganda is itself a fact how naive u are and as for unemployment this is the after effect of the dumbness of indians propaganda of elites and khangress for sure.

[@abhishekgiri2860]

After watching these i am ashamed why i watched so many hindu muslim debates.

[@devanshdwivedi8893]

@aakash mandal it's you who is the moron mate.

[@appmaster7808]

Thats all we are going to be thinking when nature stops taking our shit and unleashes its fury

[@yogamarga6743]

The truth! www.pgurus.com/shame-on-you-shekhar-gupta-for-plagiarizing/

[@aadijumps386]

I just realised one thing... Even to cook rice you require twice the amount of water as compared to rice.

[@2002georgezacharia]

Wow.... honestly never even heard of these facts ..i mean with reference to preservation of ground water act ....as always well done

[@venkateshvadakkapattu1183]

An author named Arvind Kumar published his findings in an article in Dec 2017 itself. "The Print" editor Shekar Gupta has conveniently claimed that his colleague Ila Patnaik has published a detailed finding on this topic in an article for "The Print" when in fact her article is very much an exact reproduction of the original findings published by Arvind Kumar in 2017 and then in another article in 2018. Clearly a copybook case of Plagiarism by Print and their editorial staff. In this digital age, it is unbelievable that these senior journalists like Shekhar Gupta assumed that their copycat effort will go unnoticed, when they could have easily attributed the original findings to Arvind Kumar and still used his findings to support their video documentary on this topic. Too bad their lie has been exposed!! www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/12191-law-aiding-monsanto-reason-delhi-s-annual-smoke-season www.ecologise.in/2018/10/20/the-real-reason-for-delhis-annual-smoke-season/

[@rahulrp90]

@@venkateshvadakkapattu1183 सरकारी नौकरी खत्म होने का कारण kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXi7YomIncd5q9U

[@samruddhadeshmukh]

If we have 27 million tonnes of rice in reserve then how come we are 102 on global hunger index

[@venkateshvadakkapattu1183]

exactly my thoughts. He is saying as if we have so much surplus rice and do not know what to do with that!!

[@krunalchhapparghare2375]

You can't give it for free. It won't sustain next year.. rather you buy foreign currency with surplus rice and make subsidy for next year

[@krunalchhapparghare2375]

@Truth n Logic the problem lies with the policies... loop ban gya hai yeh... poor ko free me dedenge toh sustain nai ho payega... we need to create jobs taki voh yeh afford kr paye toh sustain aaram se ho jayega

[@krunalchhapparghare2375]

@Soshan Ihsan-Otty exactly man 👌

[@ussvmehar7352]

poor purchasing power. low incomes.

[@rohitroll2119]

A video on RCEP please.

[@vishaldutt4314]

Excellent solutions! Please continue to add value to journalism. You are the last Hope for those who are looking for Independent views.... just one request... please delay the closing bell for 2 seconds, it kills your closing comments.

[@honestman5440]

Shekhar Gupta & "The Print" mostly misleading the public. GOVT'S & COURTS ARE FOR RICH INDUSTRIALISTS WHO ARE POLLUTING ROUND THE YEAR. Why is he not comparing & sharing the per acre earnings of farmers from the paddy vs the alternatives he's suggesting like cultivation of maize? Or even fruits and vegetables? Actually, the maize or potatoes are giving the farmers very less returns. It's often seen that the farmers have been throwing potatoes on the roads as they are not getting even the investment cost. www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/civic-issues/article/potato-price-fall-worrying-punjabs-farmers/187797

[@vasukinagabhushan]

Farmers can use "Happy Seeder" to remove the stubble and simultaneously plant sheet, and make more profit than stubble burning. The journalist Shekhar Gupta keeps ranting without any realistic solution. Biofuel is most foolish idea, which produces more CO2 and causes food inflation. Why Indians think that ignorant journalists like these are great journalists?

[@neetisoni5266]

It's a comprehensive way of dealing with the issues,the full circle.It should b taken into account

[@venkateshvadakkapattu1183]

An author named Arvind Kumar published his findings in an article in Dec 2017 itself. "The Print" editor Shekar Gupta has conveniently claimed that his colleague Ila Patnaik has published a detailed finding on this topic in an article for "The Print" when in fact her article is very much an exact reproduction of the original findings published by Arvind Kumar in 2017 and then in another article in 2018. Clearly a copybook case of Plagiarism by Print and their editorial staff. In this digital age, it is unbelievable that these senior journalists like Shekhar Gupta assumed that their copycat effort will go unnoticed, when they could have easily attributed the original findings to Arvind Kumar and still used his findings to support their video documentary on this topic. Too bad their lie has been exposed!! www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/12191-law-aiding-monsanto-reason-delhi-s-annual-smoke-season www.ecologise.in/2018/10/20/the-real-reason-for-delhis-annual-smoke-season/

[@navoditverma9133]

You could've mentioned about 'Cauvery Calling'. It's all about how to shift farmers from Paddy agriculture (and other water hungry crops) to Agro-forestry.

[@arkatalukdar8271]

Pls make video on RECP deal

[@Prynksngh]

It's RCEP.

[@thebenson999]

its rcep, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

[@paraggupta7890]

Its already there. Search it

[@bvvilaas]

Shame on you, plagiarizing somebody else's work as your own. Give credit to the original author of the article

[@GK_US]

Punjab/Haryana should grow sugarcane instead of rice! Basmati is cheaper in US compared to India.. why will the farmer grow vegetables or corn which has smaller shelf life and offers lesser profits compared to rice?

[@Prynksngh]

High time We need to move towards organic & industrial farming that will require much less land, water & power and produce more, And move towards setting manufacturing units and move towards becoming a manufacturing hub.

[@codenamevisage]

Organic is a marketing bs. Don't fall for it.

[@elbaecc]

@mahesh deshmukh If Patanjali is organic, I am Shakespeare.

[@elbaecc]

@mahesh deshmukh Haha, your entire comment applies to you more than me. You clearly don't read ingredient labels, I do. So who is sleeping? Who has bad logic? and mental brain...whatever that means... FSSAI cert. does not mean its organic. Please thoda google kiya karo, before making a fool of yourself.

[@elbaecc]

@mahesh deshmukh TIL, using google to fact check is foolish. Says more about you than it does about me.

[@elbaecc]

@mahesh deshmukh AAAAhahahahaha! Are you so desperate to be "right"? Let me give you some gyan. People who are right don't attack others personally when they are challenged. They calmly state the facts and give the other party the required means to check it for themselves. You, on the other hand, attack me personally and refuse to use google to fact check. Says more about you than it does about me. Also, good luck trying to put a centrist in a bracket.

[@cm-to6oi]

Odd Even is a positive step. Some thing is better than nothing. Arvind Kejeriwal is doing his best..what is under his control..

[@adeshfafriya3884]

Odd Even doesn't impact anything. Studies have repeatedly shown that. Still it's a good awareness campaign and a good political stunt

[@adeshfafriya3884]

@@cm-to6oi you clearly lack basic scientific temper, I wouldn't indulge with you in a debate and lower myself to your level. If you had made a less nonsensical and more thought provoking point, I would have countered you on facts, but it seems useless now. All I'll say is sometimes, Jo dikhta hai vo hota nahi.

[@cm-to6oi]

Adesh Fafriya of course you are the next Einstein born in India..

[@t.p.shrivastava7199]

इतना अच्छा आइडिया हिन्दी में होता तो पंजाब आदि के किसानों का अधिक हित होता ।

[@mantughosh647]

Bilku Sahi....

[@chetanyn]

Plagiarized insights... I lost my respect for you and your so called insights.... The only thing intellectuals pride in should be their originality. You have insulted this basic principle. Shame on you.

[@EvergreenConsultancy]

Thanks for explaining, and our successive government focus on Diwali, which isn't the biggest player in this...

[@EvergreenConsultancy]

@aakash mandal ur right.. Slight correction, a bureaucrat can't be short sighted, instead they are selfish..

[@rajeshdaviyal4602]

Need gradual improvement. For first to encourage to move towards mixed cropping and also cover many crops under MSP and also remove rice may be from MSP.

[@83armd]

I saw this video a few days back and really admired the logic and cutting of the clutter. Then I also read about Monsato's lobbying efforts in India to force Punjab farmers to plant Monsato Corn instead of Paddy. I am not a conspiration theorist, but do you have any comments on this action of Monsato and your recommendation on similar lines?

[@adityaagarwal2342]

The print is the best neutral source of digital media.

[@Rockstar-zu4bw]

If India's granaries have 2.5 times the food they need to have, फिर भुखमरी क्यों है ?!

[@ganeshdore]

Shekhar Sahib .. pls check योर facts .. in USA , it takes 3000 kg of water to grow one kg of rice ( not 70000 kg of water ..according to your sources )

[@dineshchandrasingh8287]

You are correct,Gupta saheb should correct his facts. More over he should also know about kharif and Rabi crop cycle and its sowing &harvesting time. Just because he is a journalist does not make him an expert in farming or in statistics

[@alokraj3128]

I agree with the basic argument, we grow an unnecessary amount of paddy in paddy-unfriendly Punjab and Haryana which are not natural growing areas for this crop. Same as Pawar's avarice for political power through cooperatives converted arid Maharashtra into sugarcane land. But the argument that 70,000 tonnes of water is used per tonne of paddy is misleading. This is the amount of standing water in paddy acreage that yields a tonne. It does not get "consumed" as you and many others ignorantly imply. Some of it re-enters the ground, some evaporates, some flows into surface channels. Remember, water has a natural hierarchy of uses - you cannot blame all of it on the first user - i.e. rainfall or pumped water in rice paddies in this case.

[@aniketanshumali393]

Agreed but still Paddy uses much more water than other crops. Also you need that water on the fields and to get out of ground which is not good and also consumers power. Argument is for other crops being better in this particular scenario when we are over producing it!

[@4p4k]

OMG I thought this was just bad for the environment, imagine how much of a tax drain it is - unlimited free power and water! I’m sure most developed countries can’t afford this, is this where my tax money is going?

[@rsss8659]

When there is too much of crop production, the soil loses its nutrients over time. When the crops are burnt, the carbon in plants that would/should have been decomposed to make the soil rich, is now becoming part of atmosphere, adding to greenhouse >> global warming. I was wondering, can the farmers in Punjab and Haryana adopt the model suggested by Sadhguru of Isha foundation? He suggests that farmers grow trees (in case of North west India - be it fruit, wood or anything else indigenous to that area). This would: 1) nourish the soil 2) conserve ground water 3) negate global warming 4) provide comparatively higher source of regular income 5) lesser labor efforts as farmers are not required to plant trees each year. They do once and good to go for a few years. 6) fight against droughts and flash floods in the land of five rivers area. But, as Mr. Gupta says, implementation requires change in mindset. Hope the administration choses the best option and the people made aware of various options available.

[@shivamshukla6359]

While I was watching the video, I too thought of an orchard like alternative, but on second thoughts, North west India is a rain deficient area.It is mostly a grassland. Can't imagine tropical trees being planted there sustainably. Anyway a better idea is likely to come from agricultural scientists, economists working with farmers, and not from babas.

[@mauktiktiwari4589]

if you grow tress the income would only be once a year and might take much more land fora lot less number of trees growing maize or something other as he suggested doesn't not mar India's wheat production and even the farmers can earn extra

[@राहुलपांडेय्-ड2र]

@@mauktiktiwari4589 the idea is to divide.. Grow fruits on some or half of your land.. This will work as an insurance and you use your maize and paddy for your use and sell other.. This will diversify your food and help to make your land better

[@rajdev17]

Bina sir pair k solutions bta rhe ho aap . Farmers k beech me jao unse pucho pehle problem . Yu hi khi se kuch b padh k theoritical problems aur solutions bta diye . Please ground report karo kisano k beech ja k ,ki unki problem kya h kya ni, paddy na ugaye to bhukhe mar jaenge wo . Suicide karenge .kuch b solution bta rhe ho aap b 2-4 articles padh k idhar udhar se . Kisano k beech me jao ye sab baatein lekar kapde faad denge aap k

[@maramnikhilreddy424]

This is perfect analysis and solution.

[@vasukinagabhushan]

Journalists should know the basic facts about which they are talking. After 20 years of biofuels use in the west, detailed studies have shown that biofuels create more global warming and cause food inflation, which is not what India and the world needs now.

[@arzunmusic]

Land

[@arzunmusic]

Andh spotted here

[@maramnikhilreddy424]

@@vasukinagabhushan food inflation ?? FCI is in debt of more than 2 lakh crore by procuring food grains , it reserves are double than required, this is because we want to give msp to farmers.

[@shubhrasinha5240]

Whatever be the reason there is always solutions if you really want and I am sure there is you are suggesting that the farmers should continue this and people in Delhi NCR die due to poor AQI ,today it is more than 900 Silly and stupid video without a solution

[@utkarshagarwal5103]

STUBBLEBURNING ACCOUNTS FOR ONLY 6% OF POLLUTION IN DELHI. There are 10 thermal powerhouses near delhi( UP and Haryana) that operate without pollution control these power house account for 36% of the pollution. Plus the Air flow to the north is obstructed by the hilly areas. due to which it has led to the accumulation of SPM.

[@ManishaPaula]

Wow, I learnt so much today. Thank you. You are clear in your expression and positive in your outlook, you made a drab subject interesting.

[@vasukinagabhushan]

Farmers can use "Happy Seeder" to remove the stubble and simultaneously plant sheet, and make more profit than stubble burning. The journalist Shekhar Gupta keeps ranting without any realistic solution. Biofuel is most foolish idea, which produces more CO2 and causes food inflation. Why Indians think that ignorant journalists like these are great journalists?

[@deepanshukaulphilip5676]

@@vasukinagabhushan A lot of farmers are small and marginal with small holdings. They will cannot afford and even if they can will never buy a machine like Happy Seeder worth 1.3 lakh when all they need presently is a matchstick to burn the field. Moreover, the machine in the non-Kharif season will lie idle

[@venkateshvadakkapattu1183]

It was actually Plagiarized. An author named Arvind Kumar published his findings in an article in Dec 2017 itself. "The Print" editor Shekhar Gupta has conveniently claimed that his colleague Ila Patnaik has published a detailed finding on this topic in an article for "The Print" when in fact her article is very much an exact reproduction of the original findings published by Arvind Kumar in 2017 and then in another article in 2018. Clearly a copybook case of Plagiarism by Print and their editorial staff. In this digital age, it is unbelievable that these senior journalists like Shekhar Gupta assumed that their copycat effort will go unnoticed, when they could have easily attributed the original findings to Arvind Kumar and still used his findings to support their video documentary on this topic. Too bad their lie has been exposed!! www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/12191-law-aiding-monsanto-reason-delhi-s-annual-smoke-season www.ecologise.in/2018/10/20/the-real-reason-for-delhis-annual-smoke-season/

[@ManishaPaula]

@@venkateshvadakkapattu1183 really? The original author should make his claims public via all forms of media In today's digital recording and media boom there should be no room for plagiarism.

[@ManishaPaula]

@aakash mandal happy to know that "your" the moral compass for the world. I didn't come here for his political leanings just for the talk on pollution.

[@everything4carss]

Whole farming cycle of HR &PB is handicapped for rice & wheat , govt need to change crop cycles and encourage shift to different vegetables or crops

[@wilddj25]

Hi I like the way you carry the whole Programme... I would like celebrities, anchors, news media and other major ppl to say NORTHERN PART OF INDIA instead of north India.. Which sounds like north Korea and south Korea..

[@mukundmkute]

Shekhar Gupta is making a case of switchover Of crops from Rice to Corn/Maize. Even from land area in India currently in use for Maize, with incentives, India can increase its production of maize from 28 to 80 million tons just by using high yield hybrid seeds and 1/4th of water used for Rice/Sugarcane. If 15-20% Paddy/Sugar Cane area is switched to Corn the production can go up to 120 million tons, sufficient to cut down crude oil imports by 30% and enough to supply protein & feed for growing poultry & cattle businesses in town and villages.

[@mukundmkute]

Great Analysis devoid of politics. A breath of fresh air Shekhar ji. Growing more corn in place of water guzzling and massively surplus crops like Paddy (Rice) and Sugar Cane is a way to go. India can reduce its crude oil imports by 30-50 billion per year and put that money in corn farmer’s pockets. Corn Biorefineries will assure long term purchase at set prices thus reducing burden of purchase on FCI’s shoulders. This is win-win for Environment, farmers and India. We have to move away from STUPID food vs Fuel debate and use our agricultural strengths. Using corn for fuel DOES NOT starve food chain. 100% protein and 50% oil from corn comes out for Poultry/Cattle feed. Just Incase, there is a food shortfall in a rare year, easy incentives can help switch some part of stored corn for human food applications. Courageous leaders like Amrinder, Modi, Tomar, Rupala, etc needs to take bold stand for farmer’s and citizen’s sake.

[@geethadavey4343]

Stubble Burning shud be stopped, instead it can produce Briquettes and OR cowdung logs of which paddy shreds r also an ingredient, Environment friendly plates, COWDUNG logs will solve CREMATORIUMS requirement for wooden logs., thereby it will save many tonnes of trees and coal if cowdung logs r used instead if coal.

[@padmarajagopalan2775]

Part Four IV : Thus the government’s plan to replace the cultivation of rice - which is the staple food for a large section of the population of India - by Monsanto’s chicken feed is a cynical move that will result in government created food shortages in the country. The problems related to the low levels of groundwater and the inability of the soil to retain moisture must be solved, but the solution should not be a drastic one such as creating famines by banning food items such as rice. Before the level of groundwater fell in Punjab, the state experienced a problem of water-logging which was partially solved by pumping out the excess groundwater. Thus, it is clear that an acceptable level of the water table can be maintained by finding a proper balance between the two extreme situations. Today, farmers burn the residual straw from the cultivation of rice as it is the cheapest method of clearing the fields. A ban on such burning will destroy the livelihood of small farmers and give way to industrial farming with a few large corporations such as Monsanto owning all the land and resources. The government has already helped large corporations through a slew of measures and it must not take any more steps that run the small farmers out of business. Instead, if it wants to prevent burning, it must help small farmers clear the fields between the rice and wheat seasons and implement proper water management solutions. This would mean going against the rules set forth by the World Trade Organisation which has mandated that no business other than American multinational corporations can receive aid or subsidies from the government, and any subsidy given to American businesses will be done under the cover of ‘research grants’ funnelled through universities. India should completely ignore these rules and fix its problems, not the least of which is the yearly phenomenon of smoke cover over Delhi. The Delhi metropolitan area has one of the highest concentrations of population in the world, and suffocating the people of the area on an annual basis should be treated as a crime against humanity, especially when the cause for such suffocation can be controlled. Although smoke from fields remaining within Punjab is also a problem that needs to be dealt with, it is not as severe a problem as in Delhi, as the smoke in Punjab would be spread over a larger area with a much lower population density. For now, a step that should be taken immediately in order to prevent Delhi from becoming a gas chamber for several days every November, is to revoke what should rightfully be called the Monsanto Profit Act of 2009 and farmers should be allowed to sow their rice crop whenever they deem it fit to do so. Arvind Kumar is an expert on technology and economic issues and can be reached at [e-mail] NOTE: The author has published a follow-up article which covers further revelations as well as the political response to this expose. You can read it here. Also read Monsanto’s response to the articles, as well as the author’s rebuttal. www.ecologise.in/2018/10/20/the-real-reason-for-delhis-annual-smoke-season/

[@mohamedhabib8460]

The title is a bit misleading. Stubble-burning near the winter months IS the reason for the Delhi Smog which is worse for the lungs of everyone living there. You talked about burning Stubble a few months earlier will take the particulate carbon junks away from the place due to Air/Wind pattern. That is very bad reasoning. In any event, either earlier or a few months later there IS burning, as it happens in many part of the world. You should argue HOW to use stubble for other purpose (transforming it into some other form) to create economic value than just burning it into CO2 & water vapor. For example it can be used for making fiber or use that cellulose powder for paper making etc etc. India has acute shortage of "good" politicians & "smart" policies here as in other areas like business & science. Too much democracy could be a reason, as our neighbor Communist/Socialist China is doing masterfully well taking that humongous country into 5X better place economically. Just don't blame Rice or Wheat or Corn. IF you have excess convert into ethanol, a very precious fuel to power up your economy. Don't burn anything, but use the stubble for creating better value added product. Gandhi was not thinking like anyone else; he had a Unique Way: Think Differently to solve Mega Problems... but Indians are good in rioting, burning down materials. Get ready, the Great Ayodhya Verdict is coming! Chance for the North Indian Masses to burn down poor Minority's homes, schools & places of worship..... That's where we can EARN a Nobel Prize!!!! Sekhar, get ready with your petrol can and the torch!!! Lol...

[@Aloewells]

Let the south India especially TELANGANA, ANDHRA, karnataka and Tamilnadu grow the rice, where it is more consumed. Rice is harmful for NORTH. They should grow other crops or fruit plantations.

[@prasannaxd]

Shekar the PLAGIARIST at his best.

[@maurmi]

This is an eye opener. However I have to differ with you regarding your opinion that India doesn't need so much food. Yes, the FCI godowns are overflowing with 3 times as much as needed. Yet 35.7% of children under 5 years of age are undernourished which the WHO states is a "very high prevalence" and even worse, 20% are "wasted" by chronic and acute malnutrition; this is deemed "critical" by the WHO standards. So for our children under 5, there is a famine of critical proportions going on. The "famine mentality" is not a state of mind; for India’s smallest citizens, famine is a reality. (Ref: NHFS 4)

[@mayankpanwarDDN]

पंजाब में पराली जलने पर कुछ नहीं कर सकते तो बारिश के अगले दिन विज्ञापन भी मत दिया करो कि देखो मैंने हवा साफ़ कर दी।

[@abhaspandia2221]

millets consume less water too. we should plant that too.

[@rshiva08]

Very informative and well done video! One point - I think millets are WAY better than maize for our agricultural lands. Rice consumption can be substituted with millet consumption. They consume much less water, they are more nutritious than rice and they yield the produce much faster. Plus millets come in various varieties (tamil: kelvaraghu i.e. ragi, varagu, kuthiraivali, saamai, etc.). If only 20-25% of produced corn is used, then I honestly don't see why corn production should be increased.

[@thatssumit]

I loved that you showcased the pollution issue , but you left out a VERY KEY POINT. Punjab and Haryana water depletion was not due to excess paddy / rice but due to adopting GM Rice and Maize seeds from Monsanto. Indian Breeds to Rice and Maize which resulted in Green revolution use 70% less water than these hrbrid GMO seeds.

[@gauravmshr]

Government should announce at this very time that FCI won't purchase any paddy from Punjab, Haryana and Western UP. But you know what the govt has actually done? They have marked these areas as exculsive and essential ares for basmati cultivation by giving GI tag to basmati for these regions. So as per GOI, basmati can only be labeled basmati if it has been grown in Punjab, Haryana, Western UP. People in these parts don't even eat rice, basmati or otherwise, so you can have proof of the GI pudding in its non-eating without any expertise on history or geography. But if you want history, evidence of earliest cultivation of rice have been seen in eastern UP going back to 7000 BCE. But does that matter when you can simply get a GI tag legislated for you? At least make amends now. Or someone needs to internationalise the issue at UNCCC - that being the buzz word to make GOI listen - on how India is polluting through giving a legislative mandate to polluters and legislatively banning the solution.

[@sikhahiloidari2779]

Sir, could you please mention the source of the statistics used.

[@maarirs12894]

sikha hiloidari how could he. It’s plagiarism, he stole the work of Arvind. www.pgurus.com/shame-on-you-shekhar-gupta-for-plagiarizing/

[@susharma9560]

But again if we have surplus of rice, then how the retail price of rice is high in North? Nothing less than 50-60 RS Kg. May be too much branding of rice. Haryana and Punjab produces ordinary rice or low quality basmati. Let's be choosy and not buy those variety of rice produced by the 2 states for example Parmal. Instead go for Sona masoorie .

[@nageswararaogv4093]

See there are Municiple waste burning plants. They can take this and burn in boilers One Govt. has to provide fuel for machines, the waste burning company must bring trucks tillers etc. The land owners must provide labour. I believe there are plants in the vicinity of Delhi or buy some incenraters and add additives to neutralize SOX and NOX have Esp to reduce SPM. This could be done before next season. Just 12months ,if given EPC

[@dineshchandrasingh8287]

Shekhar Gupta saheb, Requested to kindly hear what you have said about water requirements for producing 1 ton of rice a.d water requirements for producing 1 kg of rice. Moreover Being and expert in journalism does not qualify to become an expert commentator on farmimg. Your suggestions on sowing Kharif crop in april /may should be rechecked with agri experts.Harvesting paddy during rains even if we assume insanely that paddy seeds could germinate in april &may needs to be studied by you before coming before camera. Being a good journalist does mean that you are expert in every subject.More indepth knowledge is required by you in farming,ethanol production technology and statistics since 1000kg to 2500kg of water is required to produce 1 kg of rice .Then how come you get a figure of 70000 tons of water for 1 ton of rice.

[@gsrrandhawa7212]

Rice uses lots of water but about 60% comes from rains directly on to the fields. We need to work out earnings of maize vis rice. Correctly economics work in favour of rice. Ethnol capacity from sugarcane is not fully utilized, need capacity upgrade before expanding to maize. For avoiding paddy burning, awareness is there but equipment population is not enough. Subsidy comes later but farmers do have capacity to buy it 100% upfront

[@hsbrahma6939]

The severe pollution which is being felt in entire North Indian in general and Delhi’s NCR in particular speaks poorly about the poor administrative & alertness of the both Union and the state administration. The quality of life enjoyed by our Indian citizens in NCR is definitely very poor and substandard to say the least . We have again proved the India is a NATO State, which means = No Action , Talk Only (NATO)

[@arzunmusic]

I am from agriculture faimly and also graduated in Bsc agriculture from punjab agriculture university... All he has spoken is 1% true.. He is just trying to distort the facts to present that he knkws everything but he is misleading.. i respectfully invite him to punjab and see the actual situationa nd lets talk with the farmers.. Just by sutting in a ac room,, and googling the info to make vedios does nothing. Mr. Mandi kmkb

[@avinashmishra6863]

I don't know what logic you are using sir. I come from village in UP. People in inland UP(far from rivers) use diesel pump ( and paying for the fuel of course) for water so that they can grow rice. And they too like farmers from Punjab burn the stubble. So now free water and Power. And since people consume rice they grow rice for their own consumption and to earn some money by selling rather than thinking of exports and all other stuff.( ie it's a source of income) In the past stubble are used as a food for cattles and as a fuel for cooking in villages. So there were very few cases of stubble burning. It's not what you mentioned like Free Water , power and STUPIDITY.

[@anandk5536]

Your rational mind has not got ground or exact report. It is only your think illusion. We wanna grow fruit and vegetables but no buyer. You say that grow rice in May June such absurdity. You don't know problems. You have to leave your newsroom for check reality. Nudging and behaviour economic words for 13 minutes darma not for applying. It means million of families has to care about Delhi comfort how they earn their six months income (you get monthly income) And correct your report Brazil is biggest bio fuel producer not USA.

[@udaysahgal]

Very informative but have to disagree, paddy was never planted in April/May. The law in 2009 only deferred the planting of paddy from 10th June to 20th June. Also many western countries have banned stubble burning but some like France still allow this. Also UK which banned it in 90s there is a call to bring it back as the burning destroys all the pests.

[@Krazzynitu]

This is what happens when u try to stay in the lap of Modi(Haryana) but keep chasing biscuits from Congi masters(Punjab). Even a 2nd grader will tell u the primary cause of Pollution:- stubble burning.

[@sunnybarua6028]

Mr Gupta any Cut The Clutter episode below 20 mins saddens me, i know it's the weekend, and you deserve a break too, but Please longer detailed episodes with little anecdotes splashed, that's what your viewers have come to expect from you.....!!

[@hellraider0016]

Shift the capital of India to southern india.

[@rakeshmahajan9209]

Paddy harvesting by combines must be banned. Farmers be paid 150/ RS per quintal more. This will also increase job availability also. Reducing paddy cultivation is another option.

[@abhimanyuchandra130j]

This is a very pertinent piece of reporting. However, it’s production and the gentleman’s delivery could have been much tighter. He’s repetitive and this borders on being a ramble. Crisp, clear, linear and logical delivery please. This whole piece should’ve been half as long. It’s 2019 ya’ll.

[@sbaskaran7638]

Good analysis. However I have a question: If SW monsoon fails in a year whether economy can withstand the high prices and non availability of rice ( which is staple in north and east) as Punjab and Hariyana contribute major share of PDS kitty. If Punjab is successfully incentivised to move to alternate crop say corn what will be the eventuality When govt was thrown out even for high prices of onion ( maxi mum each family may use 3 kg per month on an average) what will be the fate of ruling party if he takes the progressive steps suggested by you? Is it possible to switch crops on tap basis ? I presume it can only be gradual.

[@subhasishmitra3421]

Another solution is Fish Harvesting.... India can export processed fish which having rich proteins.... Also having huge internal demands....

[@padmarajagopalan2775]

Part Three III In 2012, then Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal asked Monsanto to set up a research centre for creating maize seeds and announced plans (external link) to reduce the area under the cultivation of rice by around 45 percent in order to grow maize. Monsanto typically co-opts not only politicians but also members of the academia and converts them into its shills. Little wonder then that the fear-mongering about the cultivation of rice reached a feverish pitch a few years back in the form of a campaign advertisement (external link) from a group of ’eminent scientists’ who appealed, ‘Chonne hetho rakba katao, Pani Bachao, Punjab Bachao (Reduce the area under rice, save water, save Punjab).’ Monsanto now offers the replacement of rice by its GMO crops as a solution that will increase the level of subsoil water, but the multinational corporation is the cause of the problem. Its fertilisers and pesticides have accumulated in the ground over the years and this has led to poor retention of moisture in the soil, (external link) leading farmers to pump excessive amounts of underground water. The new law reducing the time period during which farmers are permitted to grow rice has further accentuated this problem. Farmers had developed their own method of crop diversification by growing multiple varieties of rice and staggering the time of sowing these varieties over a period of two months beginning in April. The loss of the ability of farmers to easily diversify their rice crop combined with the fact that late sown rice is vulnerable to diseases and pests has created a fear in farmers of losing their crop leading them to use greater amounts of pesticides and fertilisers further degrading the soil and its ability to retain water. Monsanto’s GMO products are known to cause several problems. Its maize is known for killing bees (external link) leading to a shortage of seeds of plants such as onions which depend on bees for pollination. Several European countries have banned its maize as its pollen has been responsible for killing entire colonies of bees. Monsanto’s GMO maize is also not fit for human consumption and is primarily used as chicken feed. Likewise, most of Monsanto’s wheat is used to feed animals because it is unfit for human consumption. www.ecologise.in/2018/10/20/the-real-reason-for-delhis-annual-smoke-season/

[@padmarajagopalan2775]

Part Two II: Before this law was passed, the problem in Delhi was limited to vehicular and industrial pollution and there were no reports of the entire metropolitan area being enveloped by smoke. This piece of legislation was passed ostensibly to preserve groundwater, the depletion of which was blamed on rice fields which supposedly used too much water and which were prone to evaporation, but this argument is a very tenuous one. According to the International Water Management Institute, water in rice fields contributes to recharging the groundwater (external link) and very little of it is lost to evaporation. The data from Uttar Pradesh in IWMI’s report too shows that rice fields in the state contributed to increasing the level of the water table, thus supporting the claim that water in rice fields replenishes the aquifers. The group that has been primarily responsible for exerting pressure to move away from growing rice in the name of ‘crop diversification’ is the United States Agency for International Development. Over a period of several years, it has used the excuse of preventing the decline of groundwater (external link) to push this agenda. USAID has a worldwide reputation of behaving like a front group for American multinational corporations such as Monsanto, and so it should come as no surprise that Monsanto is at the forefront of the purported solution for Punjab’s problems. Apparently, if farmers stop growing rice and replace it with Monsanto’s GMO maize, the problem will be solved. India’s surplus food grain supply is an uncomfortable fact for Monsanto and other proponents of GMO food who insist that the world would face a shortage of food grains if not for genetically engineered plants sold by Monsanto. It is in this light that one must view Monsanto’s collusion with the Punjab government and their joint efforts targeting the production of rice in India. www.ecologise.in/2018/10/20/the-real-reason-for-delhis-annual-smoke-season/

[@bikramsingh5108]

This is a fine example of biased Indian Media. Shekhar ji you never said anything about industrial pollution. The smoge is over north India and not only Delhi. Delhi already burning in its own smoke. Reports were out that in Delhi people took to fire works despite ban to worsen the problem. And only farmers are on your list. The smoge is caused as industrial smoke can't go away at this time of year, Diwali fire and farmers add to that only and farmers only aren't responsible for that. Check the facts how much free power is being given to Sikh farmers in Punjab. Punjab's ground water level depleting cause Punjab's canal water is being stolen and given to Haryana and Rajasthan that you never spoke about. How much industry was getting in the name of tax holidays and dying farmer sector subsidy is a bone of contention for you. Resentment of industry you can't face and that will make Modi also unhappy so speak selectively. You are helping those who are ruining country. This wasn't expected from you.

[@malinirajendran523]

This is not the whole solution to stubble burning. Yes too much paddy is being grow. Maize to fuel in a country like India is not advisable because we have seen farmers adopt crops with herd mentality and then discard. We have see this in the case of jetropa, soyabean being abandoned in Gujarat, cotton being abandoned in Maharashtra. Unfortunately Indian farmers do not take an educated view on farming practices, are not willing to listen to good advice, and are only concerned with profits. Nothing wrong with profits but agriculture has multiple dimensions of impact which is long term, and cannot be reversed in most cases. Farmers will still have crop residue to deal with. I have been trying to educate them on converting their crop stubble into value-added biochar. When properly applied Which will keep the soil fertilised for years and years. They also need to adopt vertical farming on their land which will reduce the dependency on irrigation by over 60%. The problem is execpt for a few progressive farmers the others are not willing to adopt change and usually follow herd mentality , also the feel govt should give them every thing free. So before making any suggestions to the govt. Please research the many innovative solutions available in the field which are in desperate need of govt support for mass adoption and scalping up. And by the way the cheapest ricen in Delhi is rs.50/- . And basumati is around rs.75-100/-

[@kallachi729]

Yes, Rice…well brought out..The biodiversity is against growing paddy in the Punjab? Tail piece: But then, it is all about money.

[@geetaarth7142]

Thanks for educating the people. There is no need to give support price for rice and wheat, which are produced more than our requirement. Farmers should be given incentives for growing and marketing fruits, vegetables and cash crops like maize etc. We are consuming much water, electricity, chemical fertilizer and pesticides to grow wheat and rice. It is polluting land, water and air. We are causing big harm to bees, birds and animals. Now, we yearn to see sparrows in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Cancer patients are growing at alarming speed. Selfishness is good only to that extend when it does good to you but doesn't harm anyone.

[@kumarvadlamudi]

Converting Corn into Ethanol doesn't stop Government expenditure in the form of Subsidies. One of the biggest lobbyist bodies in US are for Ethanol and Crop Subsidies. This cycle just shifts to announcing MSP for Corn and Subsidies for useless ethanol(good for forex but not in any other way)

[@AnuragGoel]

@ThePrint, You have not justified that the growing paddy only reason for North India (i.e. Gangtic plains) pollution problem. This must be there 10 years ago as well but there was not much pollution at that time.

[@arzunmusic]

At 7.40 sale it all depend on varieties being used... It all shows that a little knowledge is very detrimental... You are just hoogling the info and readning few articles in an ac room and making vedio... Do ground work then you will realize tha actual problem..

[@harshitjoshi571]

@ThePrint why not implement *"Paani Bahao Paisa Gawao"* and *"Paani Bachao Paisa Banao"* both, i.e optimally leveraging from both the negative and positive reward system. We should have a dynamic safe limit(as a function of time and other factors) and if the consumption is below reward and if above penalize accordingly.

[@krishansinghdilipsingh3405]

The Punjab Government should use the brain to settle the problem. Create revenue from waste. Those waste should be turned into furfural which has multiple use which is not enough for the whole country. Surprised with the mentality ! WAKE UP !!!!

[@hamza3065]

I'm from Pakistan, Smog problem due to Stubble burning is a big issue in Punjab here too, Lahore is just below Delhi in air pollution rankings. I wish Stupidity ends and our DESI air becomes breathable again.

[@JatinSharma-vk4en]

Sir, aap well known journalist hai. Lekin ek version Hindi me banate to accha hota..... Anyways well done keep it up...

[@raman8001]

Can you please declutter the issue of RCEP and India’s concerns?.... An article had been written on The Print by Mr. TN Ninan but it didn’t cover the implications as well as advantages in an more elaborative manner which would be more helpful to understand the matter in depths.... If the Print’s team reads this... it can be a good topic to declutter by Mr. Gupta.

[@anuraggoel8512]

Mr. Gupta, this is by far your best video. But please don't stop here. Given how pollution is turning into the biggest curse for residents of Delhi (and I suspect the rest of northern India), you need to bring this to light more. I would in fact urge you to seek time with PM Modi and bring to his knowledge this spiral cycle of 'stupidity'. And if even PM Modi, who enjoys not only a brute majority in Parliament but also mass adulation and support of Indians, including mine, isn't inclined to do away with this 'stupidity' and that too on a war footing, then I think it would be safe to assume that we are all doomed!