Soil, often revered as the ‘Skin of the Earth’ or geo-derma, is a biogeochemically transformed layer of parent rock and sediments, typically about one meter deep, that supports most terrestrial life. Despite its thinness, this vital resource underpins the production of over 95% of human food and shelters approximately two-thirds of the planet’s biodiversity. However, the capacity of soil to provide essential ecosystem services is diminishing due to relentless degradation caused by human activities and natural processes.
Severity of Soil Degradation in India
Soil degradation in India is a pressing issue, affecting an alarming 146.8 million hectares (Mha) of land, according to the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning. This includes 94 Mha impacted by water erosion, 16 Mha by acidification, 14 Mha by flooding, 9 Mha by wind erosion, 6 Mha by salinity, and 7 Mha by a combination of various factors. This crisis is particularly concerning given that India, which houses 18% of the global population and 15% of the world’s livestock, is home to just 2.4% of the planet’s total land area. The stakes are high, making the need for sustainable soil management more urgent than ever.
Link Between Soil Degradation and Climate Change
Healthy soil forms the backbone of our agricultural systems. It nurtures plants, supports biodiversity, and functions as a significant carbon sink. Yet, unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and industrial activities are rapidly eroding this critical resource. The repercussions? Lower crop yields, food shortages, and an alarming rise in greenhouse gas emissions.
Soil degradation is both a driver of and a reaction to climate change. The global crisis of soil erosion and nutrient loss disrupts the cycling of vital elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. This, in turn, impacts soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, water quality, agricultural productivity, and even global political stability.
Global Significance: Soil Health and Its Role in Global Challenges
Soil degradation is not just a local issue but a global crisis with far-reaching consequences. Degraded soils directly threaten food security, exacerbating global hunger and poverty, particularly in developing nations where agriculture is the primary source of livelihood. Poor soil health reduces crop yields and compromises the nutritional quality of food, leaving millions vulnerable to malnutrition.
Moreover, soil degradation contributes significantly to climate change, as disturbed soils release vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In fact, soils are the largest terrestrial carbon sink, and their degradation accelerates climate warming.
Addressing soil health is thus integral to achieving multiple global goals, including SDG 2: Zero Hunger, by ensuring long-term food security and improved nutrition; SDG 13: Climate Action, by helping to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through soil carbon sequestration; and SDG 15: Life on Land, by promoting sustainable land management practices to protect biodiversity. By restoring soil health, we can not only safeguard the future of agriculture but also combat hunger, climate change, and biodiversity loss, ensuring a more sustainable future for all.
Role and Significance of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)
SOC is an essential component of soil organic matter (SOM), which includes decomposed plant and animal residues that enhance soil structure and overall health. Although SOM comprises only a small fraction of the soil matrix, it plays a significant role in boosting biodiversity, nutrient retention, and water availability while reducing erosion and leaching.
SOC is crucial for maintaining soil health and is a primary indicator of soil vitality. It constitutes the largest terrestrial carbon pool, and the top 30 cm of the Earth’s soil holds more carbon than the entire atmosphere and vegetation combined. Healthy SOC levels support:
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Food security and nutrition
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Ecosystem services
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Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Climate change mitigation
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Agricultural resilience against extreme weather
Importance of SOC Sequestration
SOC sequestration involves storing more carbon in the soil than is lost through natural processes like decomposition or runoff. This can be achieved through sustainable soil management practices, such as increased organic matter inputs and protective measures for existing soil carbon. These practices include improved soil cover, crop diversification, composting, and reduced tillage.
Global estimates suggest soils have the capacity to sequester between 0.14 and 0.57 Pg C annually, presenting an opportunity to offset hard-to-reduce emissions. SOC sequestration also encourages investment in sustainable development, improves soil health, and enhances farmer livelihoods.
Global Perspective in Soil Management
India is not alone in facing the challenges of soil degradation. Several countries around the world have successfully implemented policies to reverse the damage to their soils, offering valuable lessons for India. For instance, Australia’s National Soil Strategy focuses on restoring soil health by encouraging regenerative agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and agroforestry, while also promoting extensive soil health education for farmers.
In the European Union, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) offers incentives for farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices, such as no-till farming, reduced fertilizer use, and biodiversity-enhancing techniques. These international efforts highlight the potential for combining policy, technology, and education to combat soil degradation- lessons that India could consider to strengthen its own soil health initiatives and achieve long-term sustainability.
Barriers to Adoption & Cultural Resistance
While the benefits of soil health management are clear, the transition to sustainable practices faces several barriers, particularly for small-scale farmers. Financial constraints remain one of the most significant obstacles, as many farmers lack the resources to invest in the necessary technologies, inputs, or training. Furthermore, there is often a lack of access to soil health testing facilities, modern farming equipment, or markets for organic produce, making it difficult for farmers to see the immediate value of adopting new practices. These issues are compounded by the absence of a well-structured support system that can guide farmers through the transition to more sustainable methods.
In addition to these logistical and financial barriers, social and cultural factors also play a role. In some regions, traditional farming methods are deeply ingrained in the local culture, and practices such as organic or natural farming may be viewed as unfamiliar or less effective compared to conventional methods.
Changing these perceptions requires not only education and training but also the involvement of community leaders and influencers who can advocate for the long-term benefits of soil health. Overcoming these challenges will require a combination of policy interventions, access to financial support, and cultural outreach to ensure that farmers are both equipped and motivated to adopt sustainable soil practices.
Digital Innovations for Soil Health Management
The introduction of a revamped Soil Health Card (SHC) portal and mobile application represents a significant advancement in soil health management. The portal now includes a registry of soil testing labs with geo-coordinates, real-time tracking of soil sample collection, and QR-code-enabled soil sample collection through the mobile app. This modern system also provides dashboards at national, state, and district levels, GIS analytics, and downloadable SHCs via SMS notifications.
Farmers can now monitor their soil health data in real-time, track soil sample collection locations, and receive fertilizer management recommendations. The initiative fosters data-driven decisions for better soil health and crop management.
Educating the Next Generation: School Soil Health Program
To foster a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship among students, the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Department of School Education and Literacy, launched the School Soil Health Program. Initially piloted in 20 Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, this innovative program has expanded to include 1,000 schools nationwide, incorporating Eklavya Model Schools.
Through this initiative, students gain access to school-based soil labs, enabling them to conduct hands-on experiments, test soil samples, and create Soil Health Cards (SHCs). This experiential learning enhances students’ understanding of soil ecosystems while nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for future sustainability efforts.
Soil Health and Fertility Scheme: A Nationwide Effort
Launched in 2015, the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme has been a cornerstone of efforts to improve soil quality and promote balanced nutrient management in agriculture. This initiative has resulted in the distribution of over 24.17 crore SHCs to farmers, guiding them to use fertilizers more effectively by balancing macro and micro-nutrient application with organic manures and bio-fertilizers. These measures support sustainable farming practices, enhancing both soil health and crop productivity.
Complementing this scheme are extensive educational initiatives aimed at equipping farmers with practical knowledge. To date, over 937,000 farmer training programs and 7,425 agricultural fairs (melas) have been conducted to emphasize the importance of following SHC recommendations. Such education fosters a deeper understanding of soil management techniques and sustainable fertilizer practices among the farming community.
Mitigation Strategies
Experts advocate for integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers to maintain soil health while promoting sustainable practices like green manuring and mulching. Although some forward-thinking farmers have begun using mulching and shredding machines, widespread adoption of these methods remains limited due to financial and resource constraints. Bridging this gap calls for innovative policy measures and increased support to make sustainable practices more accessible and economically viable.
Case Study: Sanjay Anant Patil’s Journey to Natural Farming
One notable advocate for sustainable farming practices is Sanjay Anant Patil, who has successfully transitioned from chemical-intensive farming to natural farming. According to Patil, the shift from conventional chemical-based methods to natural farming typically takes about five years, with organic farming serving as an intermediate stage. Patil’s experience demonstrates that, once fully implemented, natural farming can lead to a 50% increase in profitability within just one to two years.
Beyond the financial benefits, Patil emphasizes the importance of aligning the younger generation with traditional farming methods. He argues that these practices are not only more sustainable but also less destructive to the land. To ensure future generations are equipped to continue this work, Patil advocates for educational reforms that incorporate non-destructive farming practices into school curricula. This would help reverse the outdated perception of farming as a lowly occupation, fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious and economically empowered farmers.
Conclusion
Reversing the decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) and revitalizing soil health requires a collective, forward-thinking approach—one that blends policy reform, widespread education, and sustainable agricultural practices. Digital innovations like the Soil Health Card portal and programs such as the School Soil Health initiative are already lighting the way toward more informed soil management. But true progress will come when communities unite, embracing new farming techniques and working together to heal the land. By empowering farmers, students, and citizens alike, we can turn the tide on soil degradation, ensuring not only a thriving agricultural future but also a healthier, more resilient planet for generations to come. The time to act is now- let’s cultivate change from the ground up!
Soil erosion inhibits our ability to grow nutritious food as it decreases the nutrients available to crops.
— Food and Agriculture Organization (@FAO) September 12, 2023
We can't underestimate this threat to our food security!#Soils pic.twitter.com/8f1kvCWiRU
