TAG: GS 3: Economy
CONTEXT:
EXPLANATION:
The soil organic carbon (SOC) crisis in Karnataka is a pressing issue with profound implications for agriculture and the environment. The alarming decline in SOC levels, especially in north and central Karnataka, poses a dual threat: diminished crop productivity and environmental degradation. SOC is critical for soil health, influencing water retention, nutrient availability, and preventing erosion. However, the state’s reliance on chemical fertilizers, coupled with declining use of organic manure due to economic and logistical challenges, has exacerbated soil degradation.
Key Points:
Crisis Overview:
- Over 50% of Karnataka’s agricultural land suffers from low Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels.
- Declining SOC threatens both crop productivity and environmental health, with significant impacts already seen in north and central Karnataka.
Importance of SOC:
- SOC is vital for soil health, influencing water retention, nutrient availability, pH buffering, and erosion prevention.
- Optimal SOC levels are crucial for sustainable agriculture, with a threshold of 0.5% being necessary for healthy soils.
Factors Contributing to Decline in SOC:
- Excessive Chemical Fertilizer Use: Karnataka ranks among the top five states in fertilizer consumption, exceeding the national average.
- Reduced Use of Organic Manure: High costs and logistical challenges have led farmers to rely more on chemical fertilizers, further degrading soil quality.
- Livestock Population Decline: A decrease in livestock, from 1.48 crore in 2007 to 1.14 crore in 2019, has reduced the availability of organic manure.
Regional Variations:
- High Impact Areas: Districts like Kolar, with intensive vegetable farming, have over 94% of farmland with low SOC levels.
- Healthier Soils: Coastal districts such as Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, with better tree cover and traditional farming practices, maintain higher SOC levels.
- Black Soil Regions: Northern districts with black alluvial soil, such as Belagavi and Vijayapura, are among the worst affected, facing significant fertility loss.
Environmental and Agricultural Impacts:
- Low SOC levels lead to reduced soil fertility, lower crop yields, increased erosion, and vulnerability to climate change.
- Practices like monocropping and deforestation further exacerbate soil degradation.
Response and Mitigation Efforts:
- Experts recommend integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers, and using sustainable practices like green manure and mulching.
- Some farmers have adopted mulching and shredding machines, but challenges remain in scaling these practices due to costs and availability.
Government Initiatives:
- The Karnataka Agriculture Department has launched extensive soil testing across the state to assess and address SOC levels.
- Projects to increase the distribution of green manure seeds and enhance soil testing capabilities are underway, set to conclude in 2024.
- A mobile app is being introduced to provide farmers with real-time soil test results and recommendations, promoting better soil management.
Source:
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