Faulty methods of agriculture pose a significant threat to the sustainability of our planet’s ecosystems and the well-being of future generations. In the pursuit of maximizing yields and profits, many agricultural practices have strayed from ecological balance and long-term viability, instead relying heavily on short-sighted approaches that degrade soil health, deplete natural resources, and contribute to environmental degradation. From indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to monoculture farming and excessive irrigation, these methods not only jeopardize the health of the soil but also disrupt delicate ecological balances, threaten biodiversity, and exacerbate climate change. Addressing these faulty methods is crucial to ensuring food security, environmental sustainability, and the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of growing global challenges.
- A significant proportion of soil erosion in India can be attributed to flawed agricultural practices.
- Incorrect plowing methods, a lack of crop rotation, and the adoption of shifting cultivation are among the most detrimental agricultural practices.
- Plowing fields along the slope facilitates unimpeded water flow, leading to the easy washout of the topsoil.
- In certain regions of the country, the cultivation of the same crop continuously disrupts the chemical balance of the soil.
- This depletion renders the soil vulnerable to erosion by wind or water.
- The removal of forest cover due to shifting cultivation exposes the soil to the erosive effects of rain and sunlight, resulting in substantial topsoil loss, particularly on hill slopes.
IT RESULTS IN
Fertility Deficiency in Indian Soils:
- Indian soils typically exhibit deficiencies in nitrogen and phosphorus, while possessing higher levels of potassium.
- Specifically, phosphorus deficiency is prevalent in the Indo-Gangetic plains, Central, and North East India.
- Nitrogen deficiency is widespread across the country, with central and southern India experiencing higher levels of deficiency compared to the Gangetic plains.
- The degradation of soil health is attributed to the prolonged and imbalanced use of fertilizer nutrients.
- The recommended N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) use ratio is 4:2:1, but a shift has been observed from 6:2.4:1 in 1990 to 6.7:2.7:1 in 2016, as indicated in a 2017 report by the Fertilizer Association of India.
- The 54th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture (2017-18) highlights a skewed subsidy policy favoring urea and elevated prices of other fertilizers as contributors to the imbalances in fertilizer usage across the country.
- Furthermore, extractive farming practices, such as in-field burning of crop residues (common in north-west India) and the removal of crop residues, are additional factors contributing to the decline in soil fertility in India.
- These practices accelerate the depletion of essential nutrients and compromise the overall health of the soil.
OTHERS SOURCES OF SOIL EROSION
The soils in India confront various issues, notably:
1. Soil Erosion:
- Soil erosion refers to the removal of soil by natural forces, particularly wind and water, at a rate faster than the soil formation process can replenish it.
- This phenomenon adversely affects agricultural productivity and the overall economy of the country.
2. Water Erosion:
- Water erosion involves the detachment and removal of soil material by water, leading to manifestations such as rilling, gullying, sheetwash, and rain peeling processes.
- The rate of erosion is influenced by soil properties, slope, and the presence of vegetation cover.
3. Wind Erosion:
- Wind erosion occurs when blowing winds remove the topsoil layer, especially in dry, weakly aggregated soils devoid of vegetation cover.
- The severity of wind erosion increases under conditions of soil dryness and the absence of protective vegetation.
Human Factors Contributing to Soil Erosion:
- Deforestation: Removal of trees and vegetation results in a lack of binding material, leaving the soil vulnerable to erosion.
- Overgrazing: Excessive grazing activities can lead to the loosening of soil structure, making it more susceptible to erosion.
FAQs on Faulty Methods of Agriculture and Soil Erosion:
Q1: What are the main contributors to soil erosion in India?
A1: Flawed agricultural practices, including incorrect ploughing methods, lack of crop rotation, and the adoption of shifting cultivation, play a significant role in soil erosion.
Q2: How does ploughing along slopes contribute to soil erosion?
A2: Ploughing fields along slopes allows unimpeded water flow, making it easier for topsoil to be washed away, contributing to soil erosion.
Q3: What impact does continuous cultivation of the same crop have on the soil?
A3: Continuous cultivation disrupts the chemical balance of the soil, rendering it vulnerable to erosion by wind or water.
Q4: How does shifting cultivation affect soil erosion?
A4: Shifting cultivation leads to the removal of forest cover, exposing the soil to erosive effects of rain and sunlight, resulting in substantial topsoil loss, especially on hill slopes.
Q5: What is the consequence of imbalanced fertilizer use on soil fertility?
A5: Prolonged and imbalanced fertilizer use contributes to fertility deficiencies in Indian soils, with nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies prevalent and potassium levels often elevated.
Q6: How has the N-P-K use ratio changed over time?
A6: The recommended N-P-K use ratio is 4:2:1, but a shift has been observed from 6:2.4:1 in 1990 to 6.7:2.7:1 in 2016, leading to imbalances and soil health degradation.
Q7: What role does deforestation play in soil erosion?
A7: Deforestation removes binding materials, leaving the soil vulnerable to erosion, contributing to challenges in soil health.
Q8: How does overgrazing impact soil structure?
A8: Overgrazing results in the loosening of soil structure, making it more susceptible to erosion by natural forces like wind and water.
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