(a) whether any study has ever been undertaken on the soil health of agricultural
lands especially in agricultural based States;
(b) if so, the outcome thereof;
(c) if not, whether any action is proposed to be taken in that regard in the near
future;
(d) If so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a)&(b): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been evaluating the
long Term effects of fertilizer use on soil health and its productivity through its All India
Coordinated Research Project on `Long Term Fertilizer Experiments` spread over 18
centres located at various State Agricultural Universities in the country. The study has
revealed that intensive cropping involving high inputs and high yielding varieties results
in decline in soil health and productivity due to deficiencies of certain macro and micro
elements. The deficiencies arise due to removal of nutrients at rates higher than their
replenishment. The Council is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated
nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of
plant nutrients to restore soil fertility. Besides, inclusion of legumes in cropping
sequences is also being advocated.
(c)to(e): Not Applicable.