The Global Soil Conference (GSC) 2024 was held in New Delhi, focusing on soil health as a cornerstone for food security, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem services.
Global Soil Conference 2024
- Organized by the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) in collaboration with the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS).
- Focused on addressing challenges in sustainable soil and resource management while fostering global dialogues on soil health.
- Theme: “Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate Change Mitigation & Ecosystem Services.”
Key Highlights:
- Acknowledged soil degradation as a critical issue impacting productivity and global food security.
- Highlighted that 30% of India’s soil is affected by erosion, salinity, pollution, and loss of organic carbon.
- Emphasized international cooperation to combat soil erosion, aligning with SDG 15—protecting terrestrial ecosystems, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss.
Concerns Regarding Soil Health in India
- Soil Degradation:
- Over one-third of India’s land faces degradation due to unsustainable farming and poor soil management.
- Soil Erosion & Fertility Loss:
- Annual soil loss of 35 tonnes per hectare, reducing crop productivity and causing economic losses.
- Leads to flooding, droughts, and declining reservoir capacities.
- Soil Salinity:
- Salinity reduces water infiltration, nutrient uptake, and aeration, making soil infertile and reducing productivity.
- Low Organic Content & Nutrient Deficiency:
- Organic content in Indian soil is critically low (~0.54%), affecting fertility.
- Over 70% of Indian soils suffer from acidity or alkalinity, disrupting nutrient cycles.
- Deficiency of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium exacerbates the crisis.
- Desertification:
- Reduces organic matter, moisture retention, and biodiversity, causing soil infertility and worsening food insecurity.
- Diversion of Fertile Land:
- Significant fertile agricultural land is being diverted for non-agricultural purposes, leading to a loss of valuable soil resources.
Efforts needed to enhance soil health:
- Policy Interventions:
- Expand and enhance schemes like the Soil Health Card (SHC) program to provide nutrient status and fertilization guidance.
- Carbon Sequestration:
- Promote practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic farming to store atmospheric carbon and enhance fertility.
- Sustainable Farming Practices:
- Adopt no-till farming on a large scale, as implemented in Brazil, to reduce erosion and improve yields.
- Encourage crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic farming for environmental conservation and better productivity.
The Global Soil Conference 2024 emphasized the critical role of sustainable soil management in addressing food security and climate resilience. India must adopt comprehensive policies and farming practices to combat soil degradation and enhance soil health. Strengthening soil ecosystems is essential for long-term agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
