📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Repro John Erling Blad
Agriculture
Madhya Pradesh Leads India with 233 Farm Fires as Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Record 118 Each
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 11 Oct 2026, 02:38 AM
👁 14
The Ministry of Agriculture’s latest data shows Madhya Pradesh topped the nation with 233 farm‑fire incidents, while Punjab and Uttar Pradesh each logged 118 cases.
The Ministry of Agriculture released a state‑wise tally of farm‑fire incidents, revealing that Madhya Pradesh recorded 233 cases, the highest figure across the country. Punjab and Uttar Pradesh followed with 118 incidents each, putting them on equal footing.
These numbers reflect a growing concern among agricultural authorities about accidental and deliberate fires that damage crops during the sowing and harvesting seasons. While the data does not specify the causes, officials have previously linked many such incidents to the use of fire for weed control and pest management.
State governments have pledged to strengthen monitoring and to promote safer alternatives, such as mechanical weeding and chemical controls, to curb the rise in farm fires. The ministry is also expected to issue updated guidelines to farmers ahead of the upcoming cropping cycles.
These numbers reflect a growing concern among agricultural authorities about accidental and deliberate fires that damage crops during the sowing and harvesting seasons. While the data does not specify the causes, officials have previously linked many such incidents to the use of fire for weed control and pest management.
State governments have pledged to strengthen monitoring and to promote safer alternatives, such as mechanical weeding and chemical controls, to curb the rise in farm fires. The ministry is also expected to issue updated guidelines to farmers ahead of the upcoming cropping cycles.