Healing the Soil

Healing the soil is not merely a task of agricultural necessity; it’s a profound commitment to the well-being of our planet and future generations. As the Earth’s lifeblood, soil sustains ecosystems, supports biodiversity, and nourishes the food we eat. However, decades of unsustainable farming practices, deforestation, and urbanization have taken a toll on this precious resource, leading to erosion, degradation, and loss of fertility. Healing the soil requires a holistic approach that combines traditional wisdom with innovative techniques, focusing on regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable land management. By prioritizing soil health, we can mitigate climate change, enhance food security, and foster resilient ecosystems for generations to come.

Tags: GS Paper 3- Environment — loss of biodiversity– Soil degradation

Prelims — Soil degradation, groundwater depletion, loss of biodiversity,

Mains — Implications for climate resilience sheds light on pressing environmental challenges facing India and the world.

Context:

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, has its origins dating back to 1970 when millions of Americans came together to advocate for environmental conservation.
Spearheaded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, this initiative arose in response to mounting apprehensions regarding humanity’s environmental footprint amid rapid development endeavours.

Agriculture and Sustainability:

Over 50 years later, numerous COPs were held, including COP 28 in Dubai (Nov-Dec 2023) where agriculture was included. For the first time, agriculture was brought into this agreement.
But India did not sign it, unlike most G20 countries like the US, and China.
The reason behind India not signing it was that the government thought it would involve significant changes in agricultural policies and farming practices.
In fact, as per FAO, 30 percent of the food produced never reaches our stomachs due to high food losses in the journey from harvest to retail and high waste at the consumer end.
India has the largest food subsidy programme in the world, the PM-Garib Kalyan Yojana, under which 813 million people get free rice/wheat.

Policy Challenges:

The policy of heavily subsidising the use of chemical fertilisers, especially urea, has led to skewed use of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potash (K).
The soils have been damaged and are starving for organic carbon. The optimal level of soil organic carbon (SOC) as per the World Food Laureate, Rattan Lal, should be between 1.5 to 2 per cent.
The reality of Indian soils, however, is that more than 60 per cent have SOC of less than 0.5 per cent. Our soils are literally in the ICU, but our policymakers appear to be blind to it.

Groundwater Depletion:

The CGWB states that 70% of India’s water comes from groundwater, but 25% of this extraction is unsustainable, being withdrawn faster than replenished and About 30% of the wells monitored have registered decline in ground water level mostly in the range of 0–2 m.
89% of groundwater supports irrigation, with 9% for domestic use and 2% for industry. Additionally, groundwater fulfills 50% of urban and 85% of rural domestic water needs.
In Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, the situation is particularly serious, largely because free power for irrigation, minimum support prices and open-ended procurement of paddy (rice) have encouraged rampant groundwater exploitation.
All this has led to an ecological disaster in this belt with the water table receding year by year, and paddy fields emitting carbon at the rate of almost 5 tons/ha.

Reduced Crop Diversity:

Focus on rice cultivation in Punjab displaces other crops, reducing crop diversity. For example, in 1960 in Punjab, only 4.8 per cent of the cropped area was under rice. India’s agricultural landscape witnesses reduced crop diversity, evident in:
Maize: Once extensively cultivated, its area has diminished due to increased focus on other crops. Maize cultivation decreased by 3.5% from 2010 to 2020.
Millets: Traditional crops like bajra and jowar have experienced reduced cultivation. Bajra cultivation decreased by 2% annually over the past decade.
Pulses: Varieties like moong and urad face declining cultivation. Moong cultivation decreased by 4% annually in the last five years.
Oilseeds: Traditional oilseed crops such as mustard and sesame are grown less. Mustard cultivation decreased by 1.5% annually over the past decade.
Cotton: Despite its historical significance, cotton cultivation has seen fluctuations. Cotton cultivation area has reduced by 5% in the last five years.
Sugarcane: Cultivation, once widespread, is now more localised due to water availability. Sugarcane cultivation area decreased by 2% annually in the past decade.
Wheat: Although a staple, regional variations in wheat cultivation are noticeable. Wheat cultivation area increased by 2% annually in the last decade.
Rice: Cultivation patterns have shifted, affecting traditional rice-growing regions. Rice cultivation has reduced by 1% annually over the past five years.
Vegetables: Varieties like indigenous greens and tubers have seen decreased cultivation. Indigenous greens cultivation decreased by 3% annually in the last decade.
Fruits: Traditional fruits like guava and custard apple face challenges in cultivation. Guava cultivation has decreased by 2.5% annually over the past five years.

Soil degradation:

Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality, often caused by deforestation, overgrazing, and agricultural practices, leading to decreased fertility and productivity, and environmental degradation.

Types of Soil Degradation

Water Erosion: Soil loss due to runoff includes sheet, rill, and gully erosion.
Wind Erosion: Soil particles carried away by wind forces.
Salinity: Accumulation of salts in soil from natural processes or human activities.
Loss of Organic Matter: Reduces soil nutrient content and moisture retention.
Soil Acidity or Alkalinity: Imbalances affect plant growth and nutrient availability.
Declining Soil Structure: Compaction hampers root growth and water infiltration.
Mass Movement: Gravity causes soil to slide or erode.
Soil Contamination: Introduction of toxic chemicals or pollutants affecting soil health and ecosystems.

Causes of Soil Degradation

Physical Factors: Rainfall, surface runoff, floods, wind erosion, tillage, and mass movements.
Biological Factors: Overgrowth of bacteria and fungi, poor farming practices, and mismanagement.
Chemical Factors: Soil nutrient reduction due to alkalinity, acidity, or waterlogging.
Deforestation: Removes soil-covering vegetation, leading to erosion and ecological imbalance.
Misuse of Fertilisers: Harms soil organisms and depletes soil fertility.
Industrial and Mining Activities: Pollute soil with toxic chemicals.
Improper Cultivation Practices: Excessive tillage, mono-cropping, and surface irrigation degrade soil.
Urbanisation: Alters soil composition and increases surface runoff.
Overgrazing: Leads to erosion, nutrient loss, and decreased productivity.

Effects of Soil Degradation

Land Degradation: Loss of fertile land, reducing agricultural productivity.
Drought and Aridity: Exacerbates dry conditions and water scarcity.
Loss of Arable Land: Decreases productive agricultural land.
Increased Flooding: Diminishes soil’s water-holding capacity, leading to flooding.
Pollution and Clogging of Waterways: Transports sediment and pollutants into water bodies, damaging aquatic ecosystems.

Methods to Address Soil Degradation

damaging aquatic ecosystems.

Met

Reducing Deforestation: Promoting sustainable forest management and reforestation.
Land Reclamation: Restoring lost soil organic matter and minerals.
Preventing Salinization: Reducing irrigation and planting salt-tolerant crops.
Conservation Tillage: Minimising changes to soil condition through crop residue management.

Conclusion:

Thus,the urgent Need for Policies Balancing Agricultural Productivity with Environmental Sustainability .Climate change and extreme weather events require resilient food systems and environmental conservation efforts. Call to action to prioritise planet-positive policies to safeguard future generations.

UPSC PYQ Examination

Prelims

Q.1 Which one of the following ancient towns is well known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs? (2021)

(a) Dholavira

(b) Kalibangan

(d) Ropar

Ans: (a)

Q.2 With reference to ‘Water Credit’, consider the following statements: (2021)

It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Mains

Q.1 What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (2020)

Q.2 Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under the depleting scenario. (2020)

Q:3 What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (2019)

Q:4 Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water? (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2014)

Source: (IE)

FAQs

Q: Why is healing the soil important?

Healing the soil is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and productivity. Healthy soil supports plant growth, enhances water retention, promotes nutrient cycling, and contributes to biodiversity conservation. Additionally, healthy soil helps mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Q: What practices can help heal degraded soil?

Several practices can help restore degraded soil, including crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, composting, and agroforestry. These techniques promote soil organic matter accumulation, improve soil structure, increase microbial activity, and reduce erosion.

Q: How does healing soil benefit farmers?

Healing soil benefits farmers by improving crop yields, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, enhancing soil water retention during droughts, and increasing resilience to extreme weather events. Healthy soil also supports long-term agricultural sustainability and profitability.

Q: What role do microbes play in soil healing?

Microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and other soil organisms, play a crucial role in soil healing. They decompose organic matter, release nutrients for plant uptake, enhance soil structure, suppress pathogens, and contribute to carbon sequestration. Supporting microbial diversity and activity is essential for maintaining soil health.

Q: Can healing the soil help combat climate change?

Yes, healing the soil can help combat climate change through carbon sequestration. Healthy soils with high levels of organic matter can store significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Practices like no-till farming, cover cropping, and agroforestry enhance carbon sequestration in soils, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

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Healing the Soil – UPSC