Critical Role of Soil Health in India's Agricultural Future

Why is Soil Health Critical for India’s Future?

Soil health is paramount to India's future, as it directly underpins the nation’s food security, ecological balance, and rural economy. With over 86% of Indian farmers operating as smallholders, maintaining fertile soil is essential for sustainable agriculture, stable incomes, and improved national nutrition. Conversely, poor soil health leads to declining crop yields, increased input costs, and rising malnutrition rates.

The Extent of Soil Degradation in India

According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the situation is alarming:

• 147 million hectares of land are degraded.
• 30% of agricultural soils are severely degraded.
• Organic carbon levels in many soils fall below 0.5%, significantly lower than the ideal range of 3–5%.

Impact of Poor Soil Health on Economy and Nutrition

Poor soil health has severe repercussions on both economic stability and nutritional quality:

• Crop yields in degraded areas have plummeted by 15–40%.
• Farmers resort to increased chemical fertilizer usage, leading to higher production costs.
• India expended Rs 1.7 lakh crore on fertilizer subsidies in the last fiscal year.
• Nutrient loss in food has resulted in 15–35% declines in essential minerals and vitamins like iron, zinc, and vitamin A.
• Economic losses attributed to poor soil and nutrition amount to 2% of GDP, equating to Rs 3.17 lakh crore annually.

Practices to Restore Soil Health

Several effective practices can help restore soil health:

• Agroforestry
• Crop rotation
• Reduced tillage
• Utilizing compost and organic amendments

These methods not only decrease reliance on chemicals but can also reduce irrigation needs by up to 30%, ultimately increasing farmer incomes by 30–45% while enriching soils with up to 25% more micronutrients.

Environmental Benefits of Healthy Soils

Healthy soils provide numerous environmental advantages:

• They store more water, enhancing drought and flood resistance in farms.
• Healthy soils sequester between 7–10 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare annually.
• They support microbial life, which is crucial for biodiversity and pest regulation.

Policy Recommendations for Soil Revitalization

To address soil health challenges, the following policy steps are proposed:

• Integrate soil health into climate change, biodiversity, and desertification agendas.
• Boost public investment and political focus on soil regeneration.
• Encourage the widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture through incentives and awareness programs.
• Align India's food security, climate adaptation, and employment objectives around soil stewardship.

India's Potential in Soil Rejuvenation

India is uniquely positioned to take the lead in global soil rejuvenation efforts due to:

• A vast farming population and extensive agricultural land.
• Rich traditional ecological knowledge regarding soil-friendly farming practices.
• Grassroots movements promoting natural and organic farming.
• The potential to develop a cohesive “soil-first” model that integrates public health, climate resilience, and agricultural economics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why is soil health important for food security in India?
Answer: Soil health is crucial for food security as it directly influences crop yields, which affects the availability of nutritious food for the population.

Q2. What percentage of Indian soils are severely degraded?
Answer: Approximately 30% of agricultural soils in India are classified as severely degraded, posing challenges to sustainable farming.

Q3. How can farmers improve soil health?
Answer: Farmers can improve soil health through practices like agroforestry, crop rotation, and using organic amendments, which enhance soil structure and fertility.

Q4. What economic impact does soil degradation have?
Answer: Soil degradation leads to a significant economic loss, estimated at 2% of India’s GDP, due to decreased productivity and increased dependence on fertilizers.

Q5. What policies can enhance soil health in India?
Answer: Policies that promote regenerative agriculture, increased public investment, and integration of soil health into broader environmental agendas can significantly enhance soil health.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the main cause of declining crop yields in India?
A) Soil degradation
B) Climate change
C) Pesticide usage
D) Water scarcity
Correct Answer: A

Question 2: How much did India spend on fertilizer subsidies last fiscal year?
A) Rs 1 lakh crore
B) Rs 1.5 lakh crore
C) Rs 1.7 lakh crore
D) Rs 2 lakh crore
Correct Answer: C

Question 3: Which practice is NOT beneficial for soil health?
A) Crop rotation
B) Reduced tillage
C) Overuse of chemical fertilizers
D) Agroforestry
Correct Answer: C