25-November-2024-Editorial

GLOBAL SOIL CONFERENCE (GSC) 2024: ENHANCING SOIL HEALTH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The Global Soil Conference (GSC) 2024 was recently held in New Delhi, emphasizing the critical role of soil health in ensuring food security, mitigating climate change, and supporting ecosystem services. The event brought together global experts to discuss strategies for sustainable soil management.

What is the Global Soil Conference 2024?

Organized by the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) in partnership with the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), the GSC 2024 addressed global challenges in sustainable soil and resource management.

The conference aimed to inspire global collaboration to leverage soil care as a tool for sustainability in agriculture, the environment, and other sectors.

Theme: “Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate Change Mitigation and Ecosystem Services.”

Key Highlights:

• Recognized soil health as a major global concern due to its impact on food production and ecosystem stability.
• Reported that approximately 30% of India’s soil suffers from degradation caused by erosion, salinity, pollution, and loss of organic matter.
• Stressed international collaboration to combat soil degradation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15), which aims to halt land degradation and promote sustainable ecosystem use.

Concerns Regarding Soil Health in India

Soil Degradation:

• Over one-third of India’s land is at risk due to unsustainable farming and improper soil management practices.

Soil Erosion and Fertility Loss:

• Annually, India loses 15.35 tonnes of soil per hectare, resulting in decreased crop productivity and significant economic losses.
• Erosion also exacerbates flooding, droughts, and reduces water storage capacity by 1-2% annually.

Soil Salinity:

• Salinity reduces water infiltration, hampers nutrient absorption, and degrades soil structure.
• This results in decreased productivity and the eventual infertility of the land.

Low Organic Content and Nutrient Deficiency:

• Indian soils have alarmingly low organic carbon content (around 0.54%), affecting fertility and crop yields.
• About 70% of soils face acidity or alkalinity issues, disrupting the nutrient cycle.
• Essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are deficient in many regions.

Desertification:

• Reduces organic matter, moisture retention, and biodiversity, making land unsuitable for farming and worsening food insecurity.

Diversion of Fertile Land:

• Fertile agricultural land is increasingly being used for non-agricultural purposes, reducing soil resources.

India’s Initiatives for Soil Conservation

• Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme: Provides farmers with information on soil nutrient status to guide fertilization practices.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Promotes water conservation and efficient irrigation to prevent soil erosion.
• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Encourages chemical-free farming to restore soil health.
• National Mission on Natural Farming: Aims to promote sustainable farming practices and organic soil management.

About Soil Profile

A soil profile is a vertical section showcasing different layers (horizons) with unique characteristics.

1. O Horizon (Organic Layer): Composed of organic materials like leaves and decomposed matter.
2. A Horizon (Topsoil): Rich in organic content, minerals, and supports plant growth.
3. E Horizon (Eluviated Layer): A lighter layer depleted of minerals due to water leaching.
4. B Horizon (Subsoil): Accumulates minerals like iron and clay from upper layers.
5. C Horizon (Parent Rock): Composed of weathered rock with little organic content.
6. R Horizon (Bedrock): Unweathered solid rock underlying the soil.

Strategies to Improve Soil Health

Policy Enhancements:

• Expand schemes like the SHC to provide comprehensive data on soil health and guide better farming practices.

Carbon Sequestration:

• Encourage methods like cover cropping and reduced tillage to store atmospheric carbon and improve soil fertility and water retention.

Sustainable Farming Practices:

• Adopt techniques such as no-till farming, crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic farming to enhance soil quality and reduce erosion.
• Example: Brazil’s large-scale no-till farming has successfully improved soil health and increased productivity.

Public Awareness and Training:

• Educate farmers on the importance of maintaining soil health and sustainable agricultural practices.

Conclusion

The Global Soil Conference 2024 underscored the urgent need to address soil degradation and adopt sustainable practices to safeguard food security and combat climate change. India must prioritize policies and practices that restore soil health to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience. Strengthening soil health will benefit not only the economy but also future generations.