Madhya Pradesh tops farm fire incidents across major Indian states

Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of agricultural fires during the three-month monitoring period, with 354 incidents documented from mid-September through November 30, according to data compiled by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). Punjab, traditionally a significant contributor to crop-burning activities, ranked second with 220 recorded fires, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 134 incidents. Haryana reported eight fires during the same timeframe.

The IARI's systematic tracking across the six-state region provides crucial insights into seasonal agricultural practices and their environmental consequences. Crop-residue burning, commonly practised after harvesting, has long been identified as a major contributor to air quality deterioration, particularly in northern India during autumn and winter months.

The regional variation in fire incidents reflects differences in agricultural cycles, crop patterns, and enforcement of anti-burning regulations across states. While some regions have implemented stricter monitoring and penalties to discourage the practice, the persistence of high incident numbers indicates ongoing challenges in promoting alternative residue management techniques.

Experts have consistently advocated for mechanized solutions and incentive-based programmes to reduce open burning, citing health risks and environmental degradation. The IARI data provides baseline information for policymakers seeking to address the complex issue of agricultural waste management across India's farming heartland.