Question : Saline and Alkaline Soils

(a) whether the Government proposes to identify the acidic saline and alkaline soils through agricultural scientists/agencies to make such soil more fertile;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the area of land in hectares identified as acidic, saline and alkaline soils in various States including Chhattisgarh during the last two years and the current year;

(d) whether the Government has taken any corrective steps to improve fertility of such soils/land; and

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c): As per available estimates of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), about 243.63 lakh hectare area is affected by problem soils (Alkalinity, Salinity and Acidity) across the country, including 23.55 lakh hectare area in the State of Chhattisgarh. State wise details of area affected by Alkalinity, Salinity and Acidity are annexed.

(d) to (f): ICAR has developed various technologies for reclamation of Problem Soil consisting of subsurface drainage, bio-drainage, salt tolerant varieties of different crops and agro-forestry interventions to improve the productivity of such lands. Accordingly, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare has launched “Reclamation of Problem Soil (RPS)” as a Sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) during 2016-17 for improving the fertility of such soils. Under this sub scheme, 15 States having larger extent of such areas have been covered on pilot basis.