“India’s soil health crisis is not just an environmental concern, but a direct threat to agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.” Discuss.(15M)

Soil is the cornerstone of India’s agricultural prosperity, supporting over 60% of the population dependent on farming. However, according to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas (SAC, 2021), nearly 29.77% of India’s land (97.85 million hectares) is degraded, underscoring the urgency of restoring soil vitality.

Consequences of Soil Health Crisis:

Environmental Consequences:

1. Soil Degradation and Desertification:
   1. Nearly 97.85 million hectares (~29.77%) of India’s land is degraded (SAC 2021).
   1. Soil erosion, salinization, and nutrient leaching contribute to land turning barren.
   1. For example, Bundelkhand and Rajasthan face accelerated desertification due to poor soil management.
2. Loss of Soil Biodiversity:
   1. Excessive agrochemical use disrupts microbial ecosystems essential for nutrient cycling and organic matter breakdown.
   1. Loss of earthworms, fungi, and beneficial bacteria affects ecological resilience and natural pest control.
3. Carbon Emission and Climate Impact:
   1. Degraded soils release stored carbon instead of sequestering it, contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
   1. Loss of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) reduces soil’s ability to act as a carbon sink.
   1. Soil has the potential to sequester 3–8 gigatons of CO₂ annually, but degradation hinders this.
4. Water Resource Stress:
   1. Poor soil structure reduces infiltration and water retention, increasing irrigation demand and surface runoff.
   1. Water pollution increases due to fertilizer leaching, contaminating rivers and groundwater.
5. Ecological Imbalance and Habitat Loss:
   1. Habitat degradation affects flora and fauna dependent on healthy soil ecosystems.
   1. Soil erosion also results in siltation of rivers and dams, affecting aquatic biodiversity.

Agricultural Productivity losses:

1. Reduced Crop Yields:
   1. Imbalanced fertilisation and nutrient deficiency reduce crop performance.
   1. Zinc, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon deficiencies lead to yield stagnation despite high inputs.
   1. Example: Despite increased urea usage, yield improvement in rice and wheat has plateaued in Punjab and Haryana.
2. Nutrient-Deficient Food and “Hidden Hunger”:
   1. Crops grown on degraded soils lack essential micronutrients, particularly zinc, iron, and selenium.
   1. Leads to “silent malnutrition” or hidden hunger, affecting especially children and women.
3. Input Inefficiency and Economic Waste:
   1. Fertiliser subsidy burden rises without corresponding productivity gains. India spent ₹2 lakh crore in recent years on subsidies.
   1. Environmental cost from overuse of agrochemicals further reduces net farm profitability.
4. Reduced Soil Water-Holding Capacity:
   1. Low SOC and poor soil structure increase drought vulnerability.
   1. Crops experience moisture stress, leading to crop failure even with moderate rainfall.
5. Increased Pest and Disease Incidence:
   1. Degraded soils lose natural pest-regulating organisms.
   1. Reliance on chemical pesticides increases, further harming soil biology in a vicious cycle.

Impact on Rural Livelihoods:

1. Farmer Income Decline:
   1. Poor soil health results in lower crop yields, higher input costs, and reduced profit margins.
   1. Small and marginal farmers, who form 85% of India’s farmers, are most affected.
2. Increased Rural Debt and Distress Migration:
   1. Crop failure due to degraded soil leads to indebtedness and seasonal migration from rural areas to cities in search of work.
3. Food Insecurity and Malnutrition:
   1. Low productivity and nutrient-deficient food reduce local availability and quality of food, worsening food insecurity in rural regions.
4. Collapse of Traditional Knowledge Systems:
   1. Indigenous agroecological practices that supported soil fertility are being lost.
   1. For e.g., Zaï pits and crop rotation methods have declined due to push for chemical-intensive methods.
5. Loss of Rural Employment:
   1. Soil-based livelihoods such as organic manure production, composting units, or agroforestry shrink with deteriorating soil health.
   1. It decreases opportunities for women and landless labourers traditionally involved in soil enrichment work.
6. Increased Inequality in Agriculture:
   1. Large farmers with access to better inputs can partially compensate for poor soil, while smallholders bear the brunt.
   1. Inequitable access to Soil Health Cards, advanced tools, and sustainable inputs deepens the productivity divide.

Measures needed:

1.    Tailored and Balanced Nutrient Management:

• Use of Soil Health Cards (SHC) to promote customized fertiliser use.
• Promotion of Nano Urea and biofertilizers.
• For Example, PKVY and DBT schemes can be linked to SHC for better targeting.

2.   Promoting Organic Amendments and SOC Restoration:

• Large-scale composting, cover cropping, and vermiculture to raise organic carbon.
• For example, Pusa Decomposer was adopted to manage stubble in Punjab.

3.   Adoption of Conservation Agriculture Techniques:

• Zero tillage, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), Happy Seeder for reduced soil disturbance.
• Brazil’s no-till farming model in soybeans adapted for Indian pulses.

4.   Agroforestry and Watershed-Based Regeneration:

• National Agroforestry Policy (NAP) and MGNREGA convergence to plant trees and improve livelihoods.
• For example, Ralegan Siddhi’s watershed model, Odisha agroforestry initiatives can be adapted nation-wide.

5.   Restoring Soil Biodiversity:

• Promotion of bioinoculants, mycorrhizal fungi, and natural farming (e.g., Fukuoka method, ZBNF).

6.   Strengthening Governance:

• Capacity building through KVKs, FPOs, and linking SHC with farmer training.
• Implementation of National Project on Soil Health and Fertility for inter-agency coordination.

Conclusion:

Paradigm shift from chemical-intensive farming to science-led, eco-sensitive, and farmer-inclusive soil management is essential. By integrating traditional wisdom, modern technology, and targeted policy reforms, India can restore its soil legacy for a resilient agricultural future.

‘+1’ Value addition:

• Digital Soil Monitoring using AI and GIS.
• 29.77% degraded land, SOC down to 0.3%, ₹150.17 bn crop loss.
• Best practices: Happy Seeder, Pusa Decomposer, Zaï pits, DSR, East Kolkata Wetlands.

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