PREVENTION OF SOIL DEGRADATION

  New Delhi. Asal Baat news. The Government has taken various measures to prevent soil degradation and promote judicious use of fertilizers,...

Also Read

 

New Delhi.

Asal Baat news.

The Government has taken various measures to prevent soil degradation and promote judicious use of fertilizers, manures and herbicides by the farmers as follows-

1. Balanced use of fertilizer is promoted under the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, being implemented since 2014-15. Under the scheme, Soil Health Cards (SHCs) are generated which provide nutrient status of soil, based on which crop-wise fertilizer recommendations are provided to farmers, thereby promoting balanced and efficient nutrient management. SHC helps in enhancing crop productivity, reduce cultivation costs, and promote sustainable agriculture. So far, 26.09 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated and issued to farmers. 130627 farmer’s trainings, 7.17 lakh demonstrations, 7425 farmer’s Melas/ campaigns on soil health card recommendations have been organized across the country.
2. National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 25 November 2024.  NMNF promotes chemical-free, nature-based farming practices using on-farm inputs. Under the scheme, 23.13 lakh farmers have been registered and 11.44 lakh hectares area have been covered, Government has adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as cardinal principle and main plank of plant protection in the overall Crop Production Programme since 1985. IPM is an eco-friendly approach which encompasses cultural, mechanical, biological and need based chemical control measures. The Integrated Pest Management-cum-Locust Division of Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ&S) promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through its 48 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) and Locust-cum-CIPMCs located across 28 States and 2 UTs. Farmers are trained through Farmer Field Schools (FFS), 2-day HRD programmes, and safe & judicious use of pesticides awareness programmes. These programmes enable farmers to integrate cultural, mechanical and biological control measures.
3. Special awareness Campaign and Khet Bachao Abhiyan  on balanced use of fertilizers have been conducted by Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) and ICAR during the current Kharif Season 2026 wherein total  2,94,554 programs covering 1,36,73,465 farmers have been achieved. During the campaign, farmers have also been made aware on Natural/Organic Farming, bio-inputs, alternative fertilizers etc.
4. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) is implemented since 2015-16.  PKVY promotes organic farming by providing end-to-end support covering production, processing, certification, and marketing. So far, 18.93 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming and 33.63 lakh farmers have been benefited.
5. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) is implemented since 2015-16 to promote organic farming in North Eastern States.  So far, 2.36 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming and 2.74 lakh farmers have been benefited.