Lok Sabha Question No. 1502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Quality of Arable Soil
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1502

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 th  DECEMBER, 2025

## QUALITY OF ARABLE SOIL

1502. MS SAYANI GHOSH:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the quality of arable soil across the country has been declining over the past decade, if so, the details of the soil quality, State-wise; (b) whether imbalanced use of chemical fertilisers, depletion of organic matter, and the impact of climate change have contributed to this decline, if so, the details thereof; and (c)  whether  any  assessment  has  been  conducted  to  determine  why  soil  quality  declines
- despite initiatives such as the Soil Health Card and related initiatives, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): Government is aware of concern on soil quality degradation. Several studies have been  conducted  by  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research    (ICAR)  which  indicated  that imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers, decline in organic matter, and the effects of climate change  are  known  to  contribute  to  deterioration  of  soil  health.  The  ICAR-All  India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments (LTFEs) has been assessing the impact of different nutrient management practices on soil quality and crop productivity.   These  studies  showed  that  imbalanced  nutrient  use  (such  as  applying  only Nitrogen or Nitrogen Phosphorus) reduces crop yields and leads to lower carbon returns to the soil from crop residues, thereby contributing to soil degradation. In contrast, balanced and integrated  nutrient  management  (including  100%  Nitrogen,  Phosphorous,  Potassium  with Farm Yard Mannure or lime) improves soil carbon status, enhances soil biological activity, strengthens soil structure, and increases water-holding capacity. Thus, while initiatives such as  the  Soil  Health  Card  promote  better  nutrient  use,  long  term  fertilizer  experiment assessments  indicate  that  soil  quality  declines  mainly  where  nutrient  imbalance  and inadequate organic matter addition persist.

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. 25.61 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. 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.

The  scheme  evaluation  study,2025  of  NITI  Ayog  reported  that  Soil  Health  &  Fertility Scheme as well as Organic Farming and Natural Farming initiatives resulted in significant improvement in soil health.

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