Title of document: Policy Brief - Issue No. 3: Integrated Management of Straw Residue in the Asia-Pacific Region

Authors/editor: UN-ESCAP CSAM

Journal’s name if any:

Ministry/Government Agency/Organization: UN-ESCAP CSAM

Year of publication: 2020

Geographic focus: Asia

Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Impact of the Pandemic on Agriculture in the Asia-Pacific Region; Role of sustainable agricultural mechanization in supporting recovery and building resilience…)

School of agroecology (if any):

Web address to original document (if any): http://www.un-csam.org/Publication/PB-2020-03.pdf

Summary:

Burning of straw residue is a common practice in many countries of the Asia-Pacific region. In recent times, this practice has drawn the attention of policymakers and the public due to its adverse effects on the environment, including air pollution which impacts the life of millions of people across countries and contributes to climate change as well as loss of fertility of agricultural land.

Appropriate agricultural machinery can help farmers adopt sustainable and integrated management of straw residue including its use as fertilizer, cattle feed, bioenergy, substrate for growing mushrooms and industry material.