UNTAUGHT IAS

Analysis of “Ground Reality” Report: Soil Degradation and Agricultural Challenges in Punjab

Key Issue: Declining Soil Health

  • Punjab’s soil is losing its ability to yield crops without heavy dependence on chemical fertilizers.
  • Organic Carbon Content: Punjab’s soils have only 6.9% high organic carbon content in 2024-25 (down from 12.7% in 2023-24), compared to the national average of 17.9%.

Causes of Soil Degradation

  1. Green Revolution Practices:
    • Introduction of high-yield rice-wheat cropping systems (RWCS) led to intensified farming. Punjab’s cropping intensity is now 190%, significantly higher than the national average (141.6%).
    • Resulted in stubble burning, water depletion, and compacted soil layers.
  2. Chemical Overuse:
    • Overuse of fertilizers like urea (increase from 125 kg/ha to 560 kg/ha in 20 years).
    • High chemical dependence has killed beneficial soil organisms like earthworms and mycorrhiza fungi.
  3. Water Table Decline and Soil Hardening:
    • Intensive irrigation practices and puddling methods for rice farming reduced soil permeability, creating a dense sub-surface layer.
    • Most blocks in Punjab, like Barnala, are in the “dark” zone for groundwater over-extraction.

Consequences of Soil Degradation

  • Declining yields: Paddy yields dropped from 9.5 tonnes/ha in 2014-15 to 8.5 tonnes/ha, and wheat yields from 7 tonnes/ha to 6.5 tonnes/ha.
  • Nutritional Impact: Fatigued soils produce crops with lower macro- and micronutrient content, affecting national food security.
  • Financial Stress: Farmers spend more on fertilizers to sustain output, leading to a “vicious loop” of dependency.

Government Interventions

  • Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme (2015):
    • Provides personalized nutrient recommendations based on soil testing.
    • Implementation challenges: Limited adoption, insufficient staffing, and generalized results.
    • Only 2,587 samples tested in Punjab out of 2.27 million in India (2024-25).

Possible Solutions

  1. Crop Diversification:
    • Shift from rice-wheat cycles to nitrogen-fixing crops like legumes (e.g., chickpea, moong).
    • Market and procurement diversification are critical to incentivize alternative crops.
  2. Fertilizer Reduction:
    • Gradual reduction in chemical fertilizer usage, coupled with organic farming practices.
    • Requires long-term investment and awareness among farmers.
  3. Soil Regeneration Practices:
    • Promote no-till farming, organic composting, and cover cropping to restore microbial activity.
    • Implement water-efficient irrigation practices to prevent soil hardening.
  4. Policy and Support:
    • Increase procurement prices for alternative crops to match Minimum Support Price (MSP).
    • Strengthen implementation of SHC by improving testing facilities and farmer outreach.
Punjab’s agricultural soil faces a severe crisis due to unsustainable practices rooted in Green Revolution policies. To ensure long-term agricultural sustainability, a balanced approach involving crop diversification, reduced chemical reliance, and robust policy support is essential.

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