Every year, as the fields of North India prepare for winter, the air grows heavy with smoke. The source? Burning leftover rice stalks—a practice that started out of need but has many negative effects. For farmers, the short time between harvesting rice and planting wheat leaves few options. Crop residue burning is quick, cheap, and often the only choice. However, this practice leads to severe air pollution, harms the soil, and causes ongoing environmental impact and health problems.
In partnership with the S M Sehgal Foundation, Simit Bhagat Studios brought this story to life through an illustrated narrative. Our goal was to showcase the foundation’s transformative work in addressing crop residue burning. Their work combines farmer education, innovative tools, and community engagement.
The Super Seeder: A Tool for Change
In the story, we showed what life is like for farmers, the difficulties of changing their habits, and the potential of eco-friendly methods. A key part of the story was the super seeder—a tool that helps farmers mix leftover plant parts back into the soil. As a result, the soil becomes richer in natural materials and nutrients, eliminating the need for crop residue burning. Moreover, this approach not only prevents harmful emissions but also significantly enhances soil health and biodiversity.
‘We wanted to capture both the struggle and the hope,’ shares Simit Bhagat, Founder of Simit Bhagat Studios. ‘More importantly, our illustrations show how farming communities, with the right support and tools, can turn challenges into opportunities.’
Empowering Communities to address Crop Residue Burning
Additionally, the story also highlights the ripple effects of the S M Sehgal Foundation’s efforts. By collaborating with Village Development Committees and Women Leadership Schools, they’ve empowered communities in Haryana and Punjab to embrace change. This has inspired a new generation to prioritise environmental stewardship.
From 2021 to 2023, these initiatives have managed over 30,000 acres of paddy fields without burning, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30,336 MT and preventing the loss of 1,29,349 MT of nutrients.
At Simit Bhagat Studios, we create illustrated stories that bring social impact issues to life. Reach out to us today to turn your social impact into an illustrative story.
