Answer

Soil health is fundamental to sustainable agriculture, yet 42% of India’s land faces degradation due to excessive chemical fertilizer use. The fertilizer subsidy policy, heavily skewed towards urea, has led to an imbalanced NPK ratio, depleting organic carbon, reducing productivity, and contaminating groundwater with nitrate runoff.

Contribution of Imbalanced Fertilizer Subsidy Policy to the Soil Health Crisis

• Excessive Nitrogen Use: The urea-focused subsidy has led to an NPK imbalance (7.7:3.1:1 instead of 4:2:1), degrading soil fertility and reducing crop yields.
  For example: Punjab’s wheat-rice cropping system shows declining yields due to nitrogen-heavy fertilizer use, depleting organic carbon and micronutrients.
• Micronutrient Depletion: Overuse of chemical fertilizers at the cost of organic manure has reduced essential micronutrients like zinc and iron, affecting soil productivity.
  For example: A study by the Indian Institute of Soil Science (Bhopal) found zinc deficiency in 50% of Indian soils due to excessive urea application.
• Soil Acidification & Salinization: Unbalanced fertilizer use lowers soil pH and increases salinity, making land unproductive over time.
  For example: In Uttar Pradesh, continuous urea-heavy fertilization has led to a pH drop below 5.5, reducing nutrient absorption by plants.
• Groundwater Contamination: Nitrogen runoff from excessive urea application leads to nitrate pollution in groundwater, posing health risks.
  For example: A 2020 report by the Central Ground Water Board found high nitrate levels in Punjab’s groundwater, exceeding safe drinking water limits.
• Reduced Organic Carbon Content: Long-term reliance on synthetic fertilizers without organic matter application has depleted soil organic carbon, crucial for soil structure and microbial health.
  For example: A study in Haryana’s rice-wheat belt found organic carbon content dropped from 0.6% to 0.3% over two decades, reducing soil fertility.

Multi-Dimensional Approach for Sustainable Soil Management

• AI-Based Soil Testing: Portable AI-enabled soil testing kits can provide real-time insights into soil nutrient status, ensuring precise fertilizer application.
  For example: The KRISHI-RASTAA Soil Testing System, an IoT-based agronomy advisory tool, conducts 12 key soil tests within 30 minutes, improving fertilizer recommendations.
• Balanced Fertilizer Subsidy: Shifting from urea-dominant subsidies to nutrient-based subsidies can promote balanced fertilizer use and restore soil health.
  For example: The Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers has reduced their cost burden on farmers, encouraging balanced use.
• Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): Combining organic manure, biofertilizers, and chemical fertilizers ensures long-term soil fertility and microbial health.
  For example: Sikkim’s organic farming initiative, which eliminated chemical fertilizers, improved soil structure and increased organic matter content.
• Farmer Awareness Programs: Training farmers on soil health cards, precision farming, and organic amendments can ensure effective implementation of soil management practices.
  For example: The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) conducts awareness drives promoting balanced fertilization and soil conservation techniques.
• Soil Health Card Optimization: Ensuring timely soil test reports and personalized crop recommendations can improve adoption rates and effectiveness.
  For example: The Andhra Pradesh government partnered with private firms to digitize soil health card records, increasing adoption among farmers. 

Role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Sustainable Soil Management

• Agritech Startups for Innovation: Private agritech firms can develop cost-effective soil testing solutions and AI-driven advisory platforms for farmers.
  For example: KrishiTantra, an agritech startup, has partnered with ICAR to develop portable AI-based soil testing kits, reducing dependency on lab testing.
• Corporate Funding for Soil Labs: Private sector funding can help set up decentralized soil testing labs (STLs) in rural areas, enhancing accessibility for small farmers.
  For example: IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) has funded several STLs, improving soil testing services in remote regions.
• PPP for Sustainable Fertilization Models: Collaborative projects between fertilizer companies, research institutes, and government can promote site-specific nutrient management.
  For example: The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), in partnership with ICAR, is developing balanced fertilization models for different agro-climatic zones.
• Digital Platforms for Advisory Services: Private firms can develop mobile apps integrating soil health data with weather forecasts, helping farmers make real-time decisions.
  For example: The BharatAgri app provides personalized fertilizer recommendations based on SHC data, increasing farm productivity.
• Contract Farming with Sustainability Norms: PPPs can encourage contract farming models that mandate balanced fertilization and soil conservation practices.
  For example: PepsiCo India’s contract farming initiative in Punjab requires farmers to follow integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), reducing nitrogen overuse.

Reforming fertilizer subsidies with a nutrient-based approach, leveraging precision agriculture, and strengthening public-private partnerships can restore soil vitality. Integrated soil management, backed by smart subsidies, real-time soil monitoring, and farmer training, will ensure long-term productivity. A synergy of policy innovation, technology, and awareness is key to fostering a resilient and sustainable agrarian future.