Parliament Question: Prevention of Soil Degradation

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2750 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4TH AUGUST, 2026 PREVENTION OF SOIL DEGRADATION

2750. SHRI JAGADISH SHETTAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state?

(a) the measures contemplated to prevent the Soil degradation and improper use of manure, fertilizers and herbicides by the farmers, which is immensely resulting in the lowest average yield of crops in the Country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAM NATHU THAKUR (a & b) The Government has taken various measures to prevent soil degradation and promote judicious use of fertilizers, manures and herbicides by the farmers as follows-

(i) 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.

(ii) 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,

(iii) 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 chemicalcontrol 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.

(iv) 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.

(v) 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.

(vi) 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.

(vii) The Government also promotes Soil Organic Carbon Enhancer namely, Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) /Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM) as a part of judicious use of fertilizers.

During 2024-25, the annual consumption of FOM/LFOM was 3.36 LMT. During the current Kharif Season (1.4.2026 to 16.7.2026), the consumption of FOM/LFOM is 11.86 LMT.

(viii) Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) through Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur is promoting sustainable Integrated Weed Management (IWM) for judicious use of herbicides in different crops and cropping systems through research, demonstrations, capacity building and extension programmes. The Directorate disseminates scientific advisories through mobile-based services, social media, printed literature and village-level extension programmes to promote the efficient and environmentally safe use of herbicides. The Directorate is also analyzing the herbicide residues in soil and food chain, and accordingly suggesting farmers for crop management practices. These interventions have significantly contributed in reducing the indiscriminate use of herbicides thereby improving soil health and crop productivity.

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