Stubble burning in Anatolia: A farming practice undermining biodiversity and soil fertility

During the summer months, black smoke billows from the plains of Anatolia, encircled by hills and mountains, filling the air with a sharp, pungent scent. A closer look at the sunlit sky reveals that this trail of soot originates from flames erupting from the earth in the middle of a barren landscape. While this sight may astonish those unaccustomed to it, it unmistakably marks a surge in agricultural activity that has been on the rise in recent years.

In Anatolia, farmers frequently resort to burning plant residues left in the fields after harvest, particularly when they find the stalks unusable. This practice, known as ‘stubble burning,’  carries a significant risk of uncontrolled fires, especially under certain weather conditions. Stubble fires have become a persistent problem in various provinces, including Muş, Bingöl, Erzurum, and Diyarbakır. The environmental and health repercussions are severe, leading to the death of countless organisms living in the soil. While some view this method as a quick fix for pressing livelihood issues, it ultimately degrades soil fertility, destroys biodiversity, and elevates carbon dioxide emissions, thereby exacerbating climate change.

Why do farmers burn stubble, and what are the lasting effects on the soil, nature, and living organisms? This issue is increasingly capturing the attention of both farmers and agricultural experts alike.

Hundreds of plant and animal species affected by stubble fires

Stubble burning, a swift and efficient method for disposing of residual stalks from wheat and other cereals, offers immediate convenience yet exacts a heavy toll on the environment. Its most significant drawback is the destruction of myriad soil-dwelling organisms, particularly insects. A study published in Nature Communications reveals that over 500 plant and animal species worldwide face threats due to this practice, as highlighted by Associate Professor Mustafa Yaşar.

Yaşar, a lecturer in the Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition at Muş Alparslan University’s Faculty of Applied Sciences, asserts that the decline in plants and living organisms reverberates throughout the food chain, leading to severe biodiversity loss. “This loss undermines essential ecosystem services and jeopardizes agricultural sustainability,” he explains, citing a regional study for the Turkey Biodiversity Report that documents a 30 percent decrease in lark populations in the Southeastern Anatolia Region.

“Stubble burning leads to a loss of approximately 32 percent of the moisture in the top 20 centimeters of soil.”

The consequences of stubble burning extend far beyond biodiversity loss. Yaşar emphasizes that this practice inflicts long-term damage on the environment, human health, and soil fertility. “Stubble burning contributes directly to climate change by increasing the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it accounts for approximately 10 percent of annual global carbon emissions,” he notes.

This field in Muş exemplifies the challenges farmers face in managing stubble fires, where even a stray spark can swiftly ignite adjacent plots. Photo: Yusuf Özgür Bülbül

Data from the Ministry of Forestry indicates that in 2021, stubble burning in Turkey released around 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Moreover, analyses by the Turkish Environment Agency show that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in rural areas have doubled due to these emissions. Beyond air pollution, the practice undermines soil health: a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations found that organic matter loss in stubble-burned fields can reach 30 percent, reducing the soil’s water-holding capacity by 25 percent.

“The Lake Van basin is home to more than half of Turkey’s bird species, and stubble fires endanger this unique biodiversity.”

The eradication of insects also strips the soil of essential minerals, crucial for its fertility. Research cited by Yaşar found that earthworm populations in burned fields declined by 60 percent, causing long-term disruptions to the soil’s natural structure and a subsequent drop in agricultural productivity by up to 20 percent.

Global research unequivocally demonstrates that stubble burning poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability, particularly in arid and infertile regions like Anatolia. While some farmers may view it as a necessary expedient, the long-term environmental, agricultural, and societal costs are profound. “Although stubble burning may seem convenient in the short term, its enduring harm to climate, soil fertility, biodiversity, and public health makes it unsustainable,” Yaşar concludes. “Moving away from this practice is inevitable.”

Soil loses moisture, living organisms, and organic matter

What, then, are the short-term advantages of burning stubble? Professor Hasan Kılıç explains that this method enables farmers to prepare more efficiently for the upcoming planting season. “In the short term, burning stubble makes the soil easier to work with, requiring less effort to cultivate, and it ensures uniform emergence of the sown seeds,” he observes. However, he warns against habitual reliance on this practice. “While burning may offer an easy solution to the challenges of soil preparation, it is often pursued without due regard for its short- and long-term consequences on the natural balance, potentially inflicting irreparable harm on the soil.”

A faculty member in the Department of Field Crops at Bingöl University’s Faculty of Agriculture, Kılıç dispels the popular notion that stubble burning reduces weed density. Instead, he identifies three primary adverse effects: loss of moisture, diminished vitality, and a reduction in soil organic matter.

“Burning them drastically reduces the diversity of insects, reptiles, and other wildlife reliant on these habitats.”

“In a study conducted under Diyarbakır conditions, we found that stubble burning led to a loss of approximately 32 percent of the moisture in the top 20 centimeters of soil,” says Kılıç, emphasizing that such moisture loss is especially detrimental in regions like Anatolia, where rainfall is scarce and droughts are common. “Given the current context of global climate change and intensifying drought conditions, understanding the critical role of soil moisture is essential.”

Kılıç further explains that when soil is set ablaze, it is not merely the dry stalks that burn; countless living organisms within the soil are also affected. “One gram of soil can harbor billions of organisms —including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, mosses, nematodes, and numerous invertebrates— all of which play vital roles in maintaining soil fertility, facilitating nutrient uptake by plant roots, and suppressing diseases and pests.” He notes that distinct ecosystems thrive within the soil across various climates, and that fire disrupts both the balance and quality of these systems. “Such disruption leads to a marked decline in the population of beneficial organisms and upsets the balance of species involved in disease and pest control, rendering cultivated plants more vulnerable to infestations and disease.”

Moreover, the negative impact extends to the organic content of the soil. “The contribution of stubble to enhancing soil organic matter is indisputable. When stubble is burned, our soils become significantly depleted of organic matter.”

Stubble burning, major threat to bird species: Wildlife activists

Stubble fires are a common occurrence in the neighboring Van region, posing a significant threat not only to living organisms in the soil but also to a variety of bird species. Raising awareness about these fires is part and parcel for protecting the avian diversity around Lake Van, Turkey’s largest lake.

Dilruba Ercan, President of the Lake Van Activists Association, explains, “The Lake Van basin is home to more than half of Turkey’s bird species, and stubble fires endanger this unique biodiversity.” She further elaborates on the detrimental effects: “Burning stubble diminishes the organic matter in the soil, reducing its fertility and eroding its protective layer. Moreover, the combustion of dry stubble increases air pollution and can easily spread to the surrounding environment.” Ercan advocates for sustainable agricultural practices, emphasizing that adopting benign alternatives is essential not only for maintaining ecological balance but also for ensuring food security.

“Halting stubble burning is imperative to protect biodiversity.”

A key non-governmental organization addressing this issue is Doğa (Nature) Association, a partner of BirdLife International. Since 2002, the organization has collaborated with the World Bird Conservation Organisation in Turkey, conducting extensive studies throughout Eastern Anatolia — from Mersin to Hasankeyf and from Hatay to Artvin. Dicle Tuba Kılıç, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the association, underscores the far-reaching consequences of stubble burning: “These areas serve as essential feeding grounds for many organisms. Birds and reptiles, in particular, depend on these fields to forage for seeds and insects left after the harvest. Burning them drastically reduces the diversity of insects, reptiles, and other wildlife reliant on these habitats. Consequently, halting stubble burning is imperative to protect biodiversity.”

Kılıç also notes that the impact of these fires is exacerbated by climate change. “Extreme droughts driven by global climate change increase the likelihood of such fires. This practice negatively impacts air quality and increases carbon emissions, with cascading effects that may become irreversible for both biodiversity and climate.”

Farmers unable to afford the combine harvester

Stubble burning is far from a preferred practice among farmers. Those I spoke with expressed a sense of helplessness when confronted with its harmful consequences. It is a practice that reflects the economic hardships many endure, they said. “Most stubble fires in our rural areas are ignited by farmers, though some result from electrical high-voltage cables,” explains Ömer Ergün, who manages extensive agricultural lands in the Malazgirt district of Muş. For farmers who cannot afford to collect the stalks or profit from the straw, burning the stubble after harvest becomes the simplest way to clear their fields. Ergün stresses that many feel compelled to resort to this measure: “Last year, because straw was unprofitable and failed to cover the costs of combine harvesters, no one collected it, leaving wheat stalks scattered in the field. How can a farmer prepare for the next planting season under such circumstances? This is not the farmer’s fault, it is a reflection of economic challenges.”

“We burn stubble to prepare better seedbeds and to eliminate weeds and pests.”

As in many parts of Anatolia, wheat is the most widespread crop in the plains of Muş and Malazgirt. Although the wheat stalks can be repurposed as straw, the minimal income they generate often dissuades farmers from doing so. Ergün notes that agricultural policies overlook the necessity for farmers to collect straw to prevent stubble burning, forcing those unable to afford the expense into difficult financial choices. He suggests that reducing the cost of combine harvesters and providing diesel fuel support could help mitigate the problem. Moreover, he observes that the decline in animal husbandry has reduced the demand for hay: “For instance, a village that once supported 3,500 cattle now has only 200, leaving surplus hay that ultimately leads to stubble burning.”

Yavuz Tektimur, a livestock breeder and farmer from the central district of Muş, confirms that stubble burning is common in the region. Tektimur, who turned to agriculture after graduating from Atatürk University’s Faculty of Communication, observed that during hot weather, sparks can spread to neighboring fields, triggering uncontrollable fires that devastate crops. “We burn stubble to prepare better seedbeds and to eliminate weeds and pests,” he explains. However, he laments the limited awareness among farmers regarding the negative impacts: “Stubble fires cause serious damage to fields, people, and nature, yet many remain unaware of their harmful effects.”

“Encouraging straw production and providing equipment are key”

Agricultural engineer Ogün Tekin notes that farmers are increasingly resorting to stubble burning. He explains that, beyond making plowing easier, the low market value of straw is a significant factor driving this practice. Tekin also emphasizes that many farmers remain unaware of how stubble burning can harm their fields and reduce crop yields. To mitigate this, he advocates for educating farmers on the advantages of processing crop residues, either by shredding the stalks with a stalk-crushing machine or baling them after harvest.

Scientific studies show sustainable agricultural practices can mitigate the need for stubble burning.

Tekin further laments that the fines prescribed by legislation against stubble burning are seldom enforced. “It is essential that these fines be rigorously applied. Additionally, farmers should be incentivized to produce straw from crop stalks by increasing its market value,” he asserts. Provincial and district agricultural directorates, along with chambers of agriculture, have a crucial role in this educational effort. Yet, Tekin points out that collecting straw requires specialized equipment, necessitating intervention from the ministry. “Given that straw crushing machines are expensive, the ministry should provide this equipment to targeted regions. Moreover, monitoring international straw markets could help facilitate exports.”

Experts advise that farmers be informed of the benefits of managing post-harvest crop residue, either by shredding the remaining stalks with a stubble crusher or by baling them with a baler. Photo: Yusuf Özgür Bülbül

Associate Professor Yaşar from Muş Alparslan University underscores that scientific studies show sustainable agricultural practices can mitigate the need for stubble burning. He proposed a three-stage program to address this issue:

> First stage: organic fertilization. Yaşar explained that converting stubble waste into organic fertilizer not only improves soil structure but also offers economic benefits to farmers.

> Second stage: procurement of modern tillage equipment. Modern equipment provides a viable alternative to stubble burning. According to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), using such equipment can enhance soil fertility by up to 15 percent, Yaşar pointed out.

> Third stage: education and awareness-raising. Yaşar emphasized the importance of a training program to inform farmers about the hazards of stubble burning and to introduce alternative practices.

Professor Kılıç from Bingöl University reported promising results with alternative methods in Diyarbakır. “In a three-year study we conducted on utilizing wheat stubble without burning, we demonstrated that producers can effectively prepare seedbeds using one or two machines,” he states.

While many farmers opt for low-cost practices like plowing, cultivating, or chiseling to till the soil, using a stalk shredder to break down the stubble before cultivation and sowing is another effective option. Although some may view the stalk shredder as an additional expense, its environmental benefits, such as preserving soil moisture and increasing organic matter, clearly outweigh the cost.

In many provinces with intensive agricultural activities, local governorships, provincial health directorates, and agricultural and forestry departments frequently issue warnings about the dangers of stubble burning. This practice not only contributes to respiratory diseases but, when fires become uncontrollable, can severely damage nearby communities and farmland. In recent years, heightened national awareness has underscored the urgent need for stricter controls and preventive measures.

The smoke produced by stubble burning poses significant threats to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) contained in this smoke contributes to the premature deaths of approximately 7 million people each year.

This article was published as part of a program supported by the UK Ankara Embassy’s Bilateral Cooperation Programme. The content of this article is solely the responsibility of P24. The UK Embassy cannot be held liable for the information provided in this article.