The Ground Beneath Us: Shaping the Future of Soil and Agriculture”

Soil in India: Current Scenario

Soil is a critical resource for agriculture, food security, and ecosystem services in India, where over 60% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. However, soil health in India faces a number of challenges, and it is crucial to understand the current scenario to address these issues and ensure sustainable development.
Types of Soils
1. Alluvial Soils
Composition: Alluvial soils are made up of fine particles such as sand, silt, and clay and are rich in minerals like phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter. They are generally fertile due to periodic deposition by rivers and streams.
Distribution: These soils are predominantly found in the Indo-Gangetic plains, including parts of the Himalayan foothills, the Ganges river basin, and the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal.
Major Crops: Wheat, Rice,Sugarcane, Maize,Vegetables and fruits
2. Black Soils
Composition: Black soils, also known as Regur soils, are rich in minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. They contain a high amount of clay and are rich in humus, which helps in moisture retention. They are known for their moisture retention capacity and swelling ability when wet.
Distribution: These soils are primarily found in the Deccan Plateau, particularly in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, and Karnataka.
Major Crops: Cotton, Groundnut,Soybean, Jowar (Sorghum), Pulses like Chickpeas, Tobacco
3. Red Soils
Composition: Red soils are rich in iron and aluminium and are formed by the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks. These soils are often low in nitrogen but are good for crops when properly fertilized.
Distribution: Red soils are found in the southern and eastern parts of India, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and parts of Maharashtra.
Major Crops: Groundnut, Pulses, Millets, Maize, Cotton, Tobacco
4. Laterite Soils
Composition: Laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminium oxides but are low in essential nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. These soils are typically acidic and contain a high amount of clay and sand.
Distribution: Laterite soils are found in areas with high rainfall and are commonly seen in the Western Ghats, northeastern states, parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal.
Major Crops: Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Coconut, Spices like Cardamom and Pepper
5. Arid Soils
Composition: Arid soils are characterized by low organic content and are highly alkaline or saline in nature. They lack sufficient moisture and are often sandy in texture with limited fertility. These soils are prone to salinization.
Distribution: These soils are predominantly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Madhya Pradesh. They cover areas like the Thar Desert and other dry regions.
Major Crops: Wheat,Barley, Millets(in some irrigated regions),Chili, Gram (Chickpeas)

Government Scheme and  Policies for Soil Conservation:

Soil conservation is vital for maintaining soil health, increasing agricultural productivity, and addressing challenges like erosion, fertility loss, and environmental degradation. The Government of India has initiated several schemes and policies to promote soil conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.
1. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
Objective: To promote sustainable agriculture and improve soil health across the country.
Key Actions:
Focus on organic farming, agroforestry, and integrated nutrient management.
Financial support to encourage soil health management and sustainable farming practices.
Enhances water-use efficiency, promotes conservation tillage, and integrates crop and water management.
2. Soil Health Card Scheme (SHCS)
Objective: To assess soil health and provide farmers with recommendations to improve soil quality.
Key Actions:
Regular soil testing to monitor key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK).
Issue personalized soil health cards to farmers with guidance on appropriate fertilizer use.
Encourages balanced fertilization practices to maintain long-term soil fertility.
3. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
Objective: To enhance water-use efficiency and reduce water scarcity issues affecting soil health.
Key Actions:
Promotes micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation.
Aims to prevent waterlogging, salinization, and other soil health issues caused by improper irrigation.
Supports watershed management and rainwater harvesting to improve soil moisture and fertility.
4. Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP)
Objective: To promote holistic watershed management to conserve soil, water, and vegetation in watershed areas.
Key Actions:
Focus on soil erosion control, afforestation, and water conservation measures such as check dams and contour bunding.
Encourages community participation and integrates soil and water management.
Supports sustainable farming techniques in erosion-prone regions.
5. National Watershed Management Project (NWMP)
Objective: To manage and improve the watershed for better soil and water conservation, especially in hilly and drought-prone areas.
Key Actions:
Focuses on soil erosion control, water conservation, and sustainable land use practices.
Implements afforestation, check dams, and soil bunding to prevent soil erosion.
Promotes agroforestry and rainwater harvesting in watershed areas.
6. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
Objective: To promote agricultural growth and address soil health challenges through improved farming practices.
Key Actions:
Supports soil conservation through techniques such as terracing, check dams, and water-efficient irrigation.
Encourages organic farming, bio-fertilizers, and crop rotation to maintain soil health.
Provides financial assistance for the adoption of sustainable farming practices.
7. National Afforestation Programme (NAP)
Objective: To restore soil health and biodiversity through afforestation and reforestation projects.
Key Actions:
Promotes tree planting, particularly in erosion-prone areas, to stabilize soil.
Supports soil conservation through forest cover, which prevents soil erosion and enhances water retention.
Encourages community participation in afforestation activities to address soil degradation.
8. State-Level Soil Conservation Schemes
Objective: Various state governments have launched localized schemes to address soil conservation challenges in specific regions.
Key Actions:
Programs for soil erosion control in hilly areas, coastal regions, and drought-prone areas.
Financial support for soil conservation measures like check dams, bunding, and terracing.
Promotion of sustainable land management practices at the grassroots level.
9. Fertilizer Control Order (FCO)
Objective: To regulate the use of fertilizers and ensure balanced use for maintaining soil health.
Key Actions:
Prevents excessive use of chemical fertilizers, which deplete soil health.
Promotes the use of organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, and green manure to restore soil organic matter.
Encourages integrated nutrient management practices to optimize soil fertility.

Reasons for the Decline in Soil Productivity:

Soil productivity is vital for agricultural sustainability, but over the years, the decline in soil productivity has become a significant concern. Several factors contribute to this decline, which affects crop yields, ecosystem services, and the overall sustainability of agricultural practices.
1. Soil Degradation
Erosion: Soil erosion, caused by wind, water, and poor agricultural practices (e.g., overgrazing, deforestation, and monoculture farming), washes away the topsoil, which is crucial for fertility.
Loss of Organic Matter: Overuse of chemical fertilizers, lack of crop rotation, and reduced organic farming practices have led to a decline in soil organic matter, which is vital for maintaining soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient cycling.
2. Overuse of Chemical Fertilizers
Nutrient Imbalance: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), without replenishing organic matter, has led to nutrient imbalances in the soil.
Soil Acidification and Alkalinization: Continuous use of chemical fertilizers can alter the soil’s pH, making it either too acidic or too alkaline, which reduces its fertility and ability to support healthy crops.
3. Soil Salinization and Alkalinization
Irrigation Practices: Over-reliance on irrigation, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, can cause salt to build up in the soil. This leads to salinization (high salt levels) or alkalinization (high pH levels), both of which reduce soil productivity and crop yield.
Improper Irrigation: Flood irrigation, without proper drainage, leads to waterlogging, which increases salt deposition and reduces soil fertility.
4. Monoculture Farming
Nutrient Depletion: Continuous cultivation of a single crop depletes specific nutrients in the soil, making it less fertile. Monoculture farming also leads to an increase in pests and diseases, further stressing the soil.
Reduced Soil Biodiversity: Monoculture farming reduces soil biodiversity by limiting the variety of crops and plants that support different microbial populations, which are essential for soil health.
5. Deforestation and Land Use Change
Loss of Soil Protection: The removal of vegetation and trees for urbanization or agricultural expansion leads to loss of organic matter and exposes the soil to erosion, reducing its productivity.
Disruption of Natural Processes: The conversion of forests into agricultural land disrupts natural soil-enriching processes like leaf litter decomposition and root systems that improve soil structure.
6. Overgrazing
Compaction and Erosion: Livestock overgrazing can lead to soil compaction, which reduces water infiltration, leads to erosion, and prevents the regeneration of vegetation. This significantly impacts soil fertility and its ability to support crops.
Loss of Vegetative Cover: Overgrazing also reduces plant cover, leaving the soil exposed to wind and water erosion, further degrading its quality.
7. Climate Change
Extreme Weather Events: Climate change is causing more frequent and intense weather events, such as droughts, floods, and unseasonal rains, which exacerbate soil erosion and nutrient loss.
Temperature and Moisture Stress: Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can reduce soil moisture, affecting soil structure and reducing its productivity. Soil microbes, which are essential for nutrient cycling, are also sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture levels.
8. Pesticides and Herbicides
Impact on Soil Microorganisms: The widespread use of chemical pesticides and herbicides not only harms pests but also kills beneficial soil microorganisms, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, which are essential for maintaining soil health.
Reduction in Soil Biodiversity: These chemicals can reduce soil biodiversity and disturb natural soil processes, leading to long-term fertility problems.
9. Waterlogging
Poor Drainage Systems: Inadequate drainage or poor irrigation practices lead to waterlogging, where excess water accumulates in the soil. This can suffocate plant roots, deplete oxygen levels, and lead to the accumulation of harmful salts or toxic substances in the soil, making it unfit for cultivation.