Lok Sabha Question No. 303 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Soil Health Quality Degradation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Raja A

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

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 303

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## SOIL HEALTH QUALITY DEGRADATION

*303. SHRI RAJA A:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government's attention has been drawn towards the concerns expressed by experts that soil quality degradation is affecting 30% of the country's land;

(b) if so, the details of measures taken/suggested to maintain soil quality for sustainable farming;

(c)  whether any awareness campaign has been launched to arrest the deteriorating soil health  by  educating  the  farmers  about  balanced  use  of  fertilizers,  encouraging  organic farming and proper soil management practices; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  IN  RESPECT  OF  PART  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO. 303 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024 REGARDING SOIL HEALTH QUALITY DEGRADATION.

(a) & (b): Government is aware of concern on soil quality degradation. To address the same, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recommends soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management. ICAR has suggested combined use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, biofertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients and location specific soil &  water  conservation  measures  for  preventing  deterioration  of  soil  health  and  fertility. Government is implementing Soil Health and Fertility Scheme to assist State Governments to  issue  Soil  Health  Cards  (SHCs)  to  farmers  in  the  country.  SHCs  assist  in  promoting Integrated  Nutrient  Management  (INM)  through  judicious  use  of  chemical  fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients along with organic manures & bio-fertilizers, for improving soil health and fertility. 24.60 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated under the Scheme till date.

ICAR is promoting use of organic fertilizers to improve / sustain soil health viz. farm yard manure, compost, vermicompost, green manure, oil / concentrated cakes, biofertilizers,  biogas  wastes  etc.  are  usually  used  in  agriculture  through  demonstrations, public  campaigns,  training  and  media.  In  order  to  promote  biofertilizer  use,  ICAR  has developed improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types  under Network project  on Soil  Biodiversity-Biofertilizers.  Government  is  promoting organic  farming  on  priority  in  the  country  for  improving  soil  health  and  water  retention through of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs and Mission Organic  Value  Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region  (MOVCDNER).  Financial assistance is provided for on-farm/off farm organic inputs majority biofertilisers under the schemes.

Union  Cabinet  has  approved  National  Mission  on  Natural  Farming  (NMNF)  on 25.11.2024  to  promote  livestock  integrated  farming,  involving  practices  such  as  use  of biomass mulching, multi-cropping system, use of on-farm made natural farming bio-inputs for  improving soil  organic content, soil structure, nutrition, enhancing  soil  water holding capacity.

(c) & (d): Under  Soil  Health  &  Fertility  Scheme,  7  Lakh  demonstrations,  93,781 farmer's  training  programmes  and  7,425  farmer's  mela  have  been  organized  on  the balanced use of fertilizers to improve soil quality. Advisories are issued to farmers through

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). In  addition,  70,002  Krishi  Sakhis  are  trained  to  issue  soil  health  card  advisories. Government is also undertaking school soil health programme in 1020 schools to generate awareness in school students at younger age about the importance of soil health in order to protect mother earth. Under this programme, 1005 soil labs have been established and 125532 students have been enrolled till date. Similarly, RAWE (Rural Agricultural Work Experience)  Programme  for  about  20  thousand  Graduates  students  of  Agriculture Universities  has  been  integrated  with  Soil  Health  &  Fertility  Scheme,  Under  both  the programmes, students and graduates are collecting soil samples and doing testing of soil samples. Further, advisories are issued to farmers through students  and graduates as per the SHC.

Apart from above, National Centre of Organic Natural Farming (NCONF) regularly organises  training  programs,  exposure  visits,  workshops  (Kisan  Melas)  etc.  to  sensitize farmers on soil conservation techniques such as crop rotation, residue management, and sustainable farming practices. These initiatives encourage farmers to adopt organic and natural farming methods to enhance soil health and long-term agricultural productivity.

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