Lok Sabha Question No. 3650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-10
Subject: Tackling Soil Problems
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Arvind Kumar Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3650

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  10 TH  DECEMBER, 2019

## TACKLING SOIL PROBLEMS

3650.  SHRI ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  being  taken  to  remedy  the  large  tracts  of  problem  soils  like  acidic  soil, alkaline soil and water logged soils on nationwide basis and particularly in Haryana;
- (b) whether  there  has  been  any  change  in  remedying  approach  in  recent  times  as compared to older times; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (c): The  Government  has  taken  various  steps  in  recent  years  to  remedy  the problem soils like acidic soil, alkaline soil and water logged soils. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing following programmes:
- i. Reclamation  of  Problem  Soils  (RPS)  as  a  sub-scheme  of  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas Yojana  (RKVY) since  2016-17  for  development  of  problem  soils  (Alkalinity,  Salinity and Acidity) on pilot basis in 15 States including Haryana and bring such land under cultivation so that further expansion of problem area is prevented.
- ii. Soil Health Cards for rendering information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along  with  cropping  recommendations  on  appropriate  dosage  of  nutrients  to  be applied for improving soil health and productivity.
- iii. Other Schemes/ Missions, namely; Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food  Security  Mission  (NFSM),  Parmparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  etc.  are being implemented for sustainable agricultural production across the country.

In addition to above, Ministry of Jal  Shakti  is  implementing  Command  Area Development & Water Management Programme (CADWM) in 99 prioritised projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee YojanaAccelerated Irrigation Benefit  Programme (PMKSY-  AIBP).  CADWM  has  provision  for  reclamation  of  water  logged  areas  through surface, sub-surface and bio-drainage in commands of irrigation projects.

The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  through  Central  Soil  Salinity Research  Institute (CSSRI), Karnal and All India Coordinated Research  Project on Management  of  Salt  Affected  Soils  and  Use  of  Saline  Water  in  Agriculture  (ICAR)  has developed  reclamation  technology  viz.  sub-surface  drainage,  bio-drainage,  salt  tolerant varieties of different crops (namely, rice, wheat, and mustard) and agro-forestry interventions to improve the productivity of such lands. The CSSRI, Karnal and its regional centres also impart training, organizes front line demonstrations etc. to educate farmers on these aspects. In  addition,  CSSRI,  Karnal  conducts  continuous  research  studies  to    address  the  issue  of such soils.

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