As 29-year-old Sukhvinder Singh surveys his family’s 20 hectares of agricultural land in Bhaini Mehraj village, he voices deep concerns about its future. Although his paddy fields appear lush during the Kharif season, he compares the soil to a patient on life support, reliant on chemical fertilizers to survive. His father, Kewal Singh, who previously farmed the land, echoes this sentiment, cautioning that the current reliance on chemicals cannot last indefinitely.
Punjab, renowned as India’s “food bowl,” has implemented numerous initiatives to enhance agricultural practices over the past decade. Despite these efforts, the health of the soil continues to decline, primarily due to years of intensive cultivation and nutrient extraction from unsuitable crops. Farmers report a drastic reduction in soil biodiversity, with essential organisms like earthworms nearly vanished from the fields.
Falling Yields and Increased Chemical Use
In recent years, Sukhvinder has witnessed a significant decline in crop yields, with paddy production dropping from 95 quintals per hectare in 2014-15 to 85 quintals today. To achieve these diminished yields, the family has had to increase fertilizer use by over 350%. Currently, they apply 15 bags of urea annually, compared to only four to five bags two decades ago.
Ineffective Soil Health Card Scheme
Launched in 2015, the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme aimed to promote balanced fertilizer use by providing farmers with personalized nutrient recommendations based on soil tests. However, many farmers, including Sukhvinder, have never received a soil health card or had their soil tested. Reports from various farmers reveal that soil testing has been poorly implemented due to understaffed agricultural offices and a lack of infrastructure.
In Barnala district, only 2,587 soil samples were tested in 2024-25, highlighting a severe underutilization of the SHC scheme. Randeep Singh, a local farmer, noted that results from testing often yielded identical recommendations across different farms, raising doubts about the validity of the tests.
A Vicious Cycle of Degradation
Despite predictions of bumper crop production for 2024, many farmers, like Gulab Singh, label the land as “dead” due to its over-reliance on chemical farming. The average Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels in Punjab are alarmingly low, at 0.3 to 0.8%, far below the recommended 1%. The degradation of soil quality not only threatens current crop yields but also undermines the nutritional value of staple crops like rice and wheat.
The overuse of fertilizers has hardened the soil, resulting in diminished water retention and absorption capacities. Farmers face challenges in both heavy rainfall and drought conditions, as the compacted soil creates an impermeable layer that inhibits water infiltration and root growth.
The Future of Punjab’s Agriculture
Punjab stands at a crossroads. The current agricultural practices, driven by chemical dependency, threaten the long-term sustainability of the region’s farming. Farmers are increasingly recognizing the need for organic methods to restore soil health and agricultural viability. However, a comprehensive strategy involving better government support, educational initiatives, and community engagement is crucial to reverse the cycle of degradation and promote a more sustainable agricultural future.
Key Takeaways:
- Farmers in Punjab express deep concern over soil health due to overuse of chemical fertilizers.
- The Soil Health Card scheme has largely failed to make a meaningful impact on soil management.
- There is an urgent need for sustainable practices to restore soil vitality and ensure food security.
Read More:
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