Status of Indian Soils
Why it Matters?
India’s transition from food aid dependence in the 1960s to becoming the world’s largest rice exporter in 2024-25 highlights the urgent need to shift focus from food security to nutritional security through soil health restoration.
What You Should Know?
Nitrogen (N): Less than 5% of soils have sufficient nitrogen.
Phosphate (P): About 40% of soils have sufficient phosphate.
Potash (K): Only 32% of soils have adequate potash content.
Soil Organic Carbon (SOC): Only 20% of soils have sufficient SOC levels.
According to the Indian Institute of Soil Science Standard, SOC in the range of 0.5% to 0.75% is considered adequate.
Rattan Lal recommended, SOC should be at least 1.5% to 2% for long-term soil health.
Indian soils show moderate to severe micronutrient deficiencies in zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), sulphur (S), and boron (B).
Zinc-deficient soils lead to low zinc content in cereals like wheat and rice, contributing to childhood stunting.
Poor SOC affects soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient use efficiency, and overall crop productivity.
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