Lok Sabha Question No. 2857 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Soil Degradation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Sanjna Jatav

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2857

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## SOIL DEGRADATION

2857. SMT. SANJNA JATAV:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that Soil degradation which is affecting 30% of India's cultivable land is posing a significant threat through erosion, salination and fertility loss; and

(b) if so, the details of the steps taken/likely to be taken by the Government along with the measures to be taken to safeguard soil quality for sustainable agriculture?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(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.  24.84  crore  Soil  Health  Cards  have  been  generated  under  the Scheme till  date.  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.

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.  National  Mission  on  Natural  Farming  (NMNF)  is implemented 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. 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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