Can subsidising green agricultural technology reduce smog? An experimental study

Authors

In response to escalating air pollution, particularly from crop residue burning, this study investigates the effectiveness of AgriPunjab's "Mechanised Management of Rice Crop Residue" (MMRCR) programme in Punjab, Pakistan, with a focus on mitigating the severe health and economic consequences of air pollution.
Through a randomised controlled trial (RCT), subsidies for Rice Straw Shredders and Happy Seeders were distributed through a public lottery in major rice-growing districts.
The study will examine how agricultural emissions contribute to air pollution in Punjab. The introduction of RSS-HS technology offers a promising solution, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 78% compared to burning. However, high upfront equipment costs pose a substantial barrier to technology adoption among farmers.