Soil

Syllabus: Agriculture

Source:  IE

 Context: The 10th World Soil Day, themed “Caring for Soils – Measure, Monitor, and Manage,” highlighted soil health’s critical role in food production.

Present Status of Soil in India:

Factors Impacting Soil:

1. Water Erosion: Heavy rainfall and poor land management practices result in topsoil loss in over 94 million hectares.
2. Wind Erosion: Affects 9 million hectares in arid regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat.
3. Salinity: Improper irrigation practices lead to salinization, impacting coastal and irrigated zones.
4. Chemical Overuse: Excessive use of urea and other fertilizers causes nutrient imbalance and soil acidification.
5. Deforestation: Removal of vegetation increases vulnerability to erosion and loss of soil cover.

Regional Differences in Soil Deterioration

• Arid Regions: Rajasthan faces severe wind erosion and desertification.
• Flood-Prone Areas: States like Bihar and Assam suffer from erosion due to recurrent floods.
• Coastal Zones: Odisha and Tamil Nadu experience salinity ingress affecting fertility.
• Hilly Areas: Uttarakhand faces landslides and soil erosion due to deforestation.
• Semi-Arid Zones: Telangana and Maharashtra deal with overgrazing and drought-induced soil degradation.

Effects of Soil Degradation:

1. Land Degradation: Loss of fertile land due to erosion and contamination reduces agricultural productivity.
2. Desertification: Poor practices exacerbate aridity, leading to drought and biodiversity loss.
3. Loss of Arable Land: About 40% of agricultural land worldwide is no longer productive.
4. Increased Flooding: Degraded soil has reduced water absorption, increasing runoff and flooding risks.
5. Waterway Pollution: Fertilizer runoff pollutes rivers, harming aquatic ecosystems and water availability.

Challenges in the Fertilizer Sector:

1. Imbalanced Use: Overuse of nitrogen and underuse of phosphate and potash due to subsidy distortions.
2. Low Nutrient Use Efficiency: Only 35-40% of applied fertilizers benefit crops; the rest pollutes the environment.
3. Subsidy Dependence: Heavy reliance on subsidies hinders innovation and efficiency.
4. Leakage and Misuse: Urea is diverted for non-agricultural uses and smuggling to neighboring countries.
5. Environmental Impact: Excess nitrogen emissions contribute to global warming and soil degradation.

Government Initiatives to Control Soil Degradation:

1. Soil Health Card Scheme: Provides farmers with nutrient information for balanced fertilizer use.
2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Promotes efficient irrigation practices to reduce soil erosion.
3. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Encourages organic farming and soil conservation.
4. Watershed Management Programs: Focus on restoring degraded lands and improving water resources.
5. Afforestation Drives: Promotes reforestation to restore soil cover and prevent erosion.

Reforms Needed:

1. Subsidy Deregulation: Replace price controls with direct income transfers to farmers via digital coupons.
2. Promote Balanced Fertilizer Use: Incentivize the appropriate use of N, P, and K through education and policy.
3. Encourage Micronutrient  Use: Focus on micronutrient availability for improved crop productivity.
4. Triangulated Data Use: Integrate soil health cards, fertilizer sales, and farmer data for targeted policy interventions.
5. Innovation and Efficiency: Encourage private investment and research in fertilizers by deregulating the industry.

Conclusion:

Protecting India’s soils is vital for sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental health. Coordinated efforts and policy reforms are essential to restore soil vitality and enhance productivity.

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