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Tired Of Delhi Pollution? This Engineer Might Have A Solution!

Winter is here, and so is the thick blanket of pollution, smog, and smoke layers. Every year, the public and governments focus on the farmers in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana who burn crop residue and harvest stubble. These activities mainly cause the annual public health catastrophe in NCR. However, a lot of farmers assert that they are powerless and have no other option.

Thankfully, current times have seen a tendency among engineers to opt out of traditional roles. This unconventionality paves the way for innovations and engineers to become leaders. Such is the case with engineer Vikash K Abraham from the National Institute of Technology in Tiruchirappalli, who might know how to resolve this problem and bring down Delhi's pollution. Regenerative farming, a lucrative farming trend emerging outside of NCR, has the potential to improve India's climate and food security, says Abraham.

Regenerative farming- How does it work?

Regenerative agriculture aims to restore and improve the farm's whole ecosystem by ensuring that plants receive nourishment through biological cycles. According to the Rodale Institute, it is a farming technique that enhances rather than depletes the resources it uses.

The remaining stubble from the harvest is used in Abraham's regenerative concept to improve the soil. His Regenerative Farming Hub in the village of Palla has developed a way to guarantee chemical-free farming that gives the crops more nutrient density. These hubs ensure "quality-based buy-back" and act as procurement hubs.

Innovations and solutions

Combining an idea with innovation is powerful. Innovation guarantees the proper execution of the solution that has the potential to effect significant change. Such was the Indian Agricultural Research Institute's penchant for innovation.

The institute created the Pusa microbe, which accelerates decomposition and turns stubble into compost in 25 days, enhancing the quality of the soil as a result. The "Happy Seeder," a tractor-mounted extension device, sows wheat while also collecting straw and spreading it as mulch over the ground.

Hope for improved AQI

Despite being amazing, many technologies entail expensive operating costs. State governments have also set up distilleries that use the straw to produce ethanol, but as farmers are responsible for gathering, baling, and transporting the leftovers, burning remained the most affordable alternative.

However, Abraham's innovative concept promises feasibility and sustainability. His initiative has helped over one lakh farmers to harvest their products sustainably.