The city authorities have instructed departments and local authorities to strengthen inspections, monitoring and enforcement while encouraging farmers to adopt alternative methods of handling post-harvest straw.
The Department of Agriculture and Environment will monitor rice straw burning during the 2025-26 winter-spring harvest and promote the use of biological products and mechanised collection to process straw in the fields.
Authorities will also adjust irrigation practices during land preparation to improve the effectiveness of biological treatments for straw decomposition.
Local authorities have been asked to work with agricultural cooperatives to expand straw collection after harvest. Cooperatives and farmers with sufficient capacity will be required to commit not to burn rice straw in the fields.
The city also plans to expand the use of rice straw for mushroom cultivation, livestock feed and organic fertiliser as part of its circular agriculture strategy.
