Why do farmers burn fields?

Answer 1

Weeds are thought to be competition with the main crop for space, moisture, soil nutrients, and sunlight. However, weeds arguably may be removed for three primary reasons: Aesthetics (a field full of weed is considered "dirty"); Reduced costs for seed cleaning (weed seeds are filtered out of the main crop and discarded); and, to encourage maximized yields of a crop for that year of production.

While presence of weeds certainly will reduce yields in croplands, weeds are also an indicator of soil issues primarily related to nutrition. Weeds are also Nature's way to cover bare exposed soil and protect that soil from erosion. Weeds, however, can be a severe disadvantage when they have the ability to spread and contaminate areas where they are not welcome, and this doesn't always mean in croplands. Weeds can be a major issue in pastures and native rangelands particularly when they are not native and are at a great population where they are pushing out native and more desirable species.

Answer 2

Well the reason why farmers burn fields are so it will kill all the old growth like weeds and stuff they have planted before.

Answer 3

Because weeds drain nutrients from the soil for their own growth - depriving the desired crop of vital food. Additionally, the less weeds there are in a field, the more crop can be grown.

Answer 4

Insecticides kill bugs which may eat the crops they're trying to grow, so killing the bugs will increase the farmer's yeild, and therefore his profit for this year.

Answer 5

Because it makes their crops grow more.