Lok Sabha Question No. 1517 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Mapping of Soil Erodibility
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS' WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS' WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1517

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 th  DECEMBER, 2023

## MAPPING OF SOIL ERODIBILITY

1517.  SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI: Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS' WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान

कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a) whether IIT, Delhi is claimed to have conducted national scale mapping of soil erodibility, combined effects of rainfall, infiltration and runoffs; (b)  whether the Government has examined the report for planning and research purposes; (c)  whether the national soil conservation  plan is proposed to be launched as  a part of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e)  if  not,  whether  the  Government  will  help  farmers  regarding  soil  conservation and sustainability?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMER'S WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA) (a)  &  (b)  Yes  sir,  IIT,  Delhi  has  conducted  National  Scale  Mapping  of  Soil Erodibility  based  on  the  properties  of  soil  particles,  such  as,  the  percentage content  of  silt,  sand,  clay  and  soil  organic  carbon  including  soil  texture,  soil structure  code  and  soil  permeability  code  and  published  a  research  report  in  a journal. The published research report has been examined which concludes that the mapping of soil erodibility helps in systematic and comprehensive understanding of soil erosion in India. Further, report can be utilised for planning future  research  related  to  soil  erosion  aspects.  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural Research  (ICAR)  -  Indian  Institute  of  Soil  and  Water  Conservation  (IISWC),

Dehradun  is  the  nodal  institute  for  conducting  research  on  soil  erosion  in  the country.  The  Institute  is  also  involved  in  imparting  regular  trainings  for  field functionaries working in the field of soil and water conservation.

(c)  to  (e):    Government  of  India  launched  National  Mission  for  Sustainable Agriculture  to  promote  sustainable  conservation  practices.  The  Department  of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is implementing Watershed  Development  component  of  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) to develop degraded lands from 2015-16. Under WDCPMKSY  1.0,  as  per  information  received  from  the  State/UT,  since  2015-16  to 2021-22, approximately 6.56 lakh water harvesting structures have been created /  rejuvenated. An additional area of about 14.54 lakh hectare has been brought under protective irrigation. The number of farmers benefited is about 31.94 lakh during the said period. The continuation of the scheme as WDC-PMKSY 2.0 has been  approved  by Government on 15 December, 2021. Similarly,  under WDCPMKSY 2.0, during FY 2022-23 and FY2023-24 (till 1st Qtr.), approximately 0.75 lakh water harvesting structures have been created / rejuvenated. An additional area of about 0.57 lakh hectare has been brought under protective irrigation. The number of farmers benefited is about 4.30 lakh during the said period.