To exacerbate the problem, incorporating straw into the soil delays soil preparation and the development of the next crop. Because of this, rice straw is often considered a waste product and is burned in the fields, resulting in airborne emissions hazardous to humans and the ecosystem.

Further reading

• Rice straw

• Rice straw and husks

• In-field rice straw management

• Off-field rice straw management

• Rice straw collection

• IRRI-BMZ rice straw management project

• Rice straw website

• Technologies for rice straw (video)