Strategies to address Soil Health

Use of organic manures and recycling of biomass need to be promoted.

Encourage mixed/intercrops of pulses in all major cropping systems.
Encourage N-fixing and other useful trees/bushes as hedges on bunds for in-situ
production of biomass. Wherever possible, green manure crops be promoted.
Chemical nutrients may be used only on soil test based recommendations.
Encourage use of mineral nutrient resources such as rock phosphate along with
composts (Phosphate rich organic manure-PROM).
Encourage integration of cattle in farming system mode.
Use of lime, gypsum, basic slag and other soil amendments in problem soils be
used so that Soil pH is brought to near neutrality to improve nutrient up take and
fertilizer use efficiency.
Biofertilisers need to be promoted on massive scale similar to chemical fertilizers
but at the same time it needs to be ensured that biofertilisers of standard quality
are supplied to the farmers so that they remain active till their use/ application.
It is generally agreed that combined application of both nitrogenous and
phosphatic biofertilizers can supply 25 kg N and 10 kg P2O5 per hectare.
Some of the important reasons for limited use of biofertilizers are:
o Farmers are un-aware about biofertilizers.
o Inconsistent results on their use.
o Timely non-availability of standard quality biofertilizers which can
withstand high temperatures.
o Supply of spurious products in the market.
o Dealers are not keen to store and supply biofertilizers to the farmers.
o Based on a scientific soil test balanced and judicious use of chemical
fertilizers (N,P,K) with secondary nutrient (Sulphur, Calcium,
Magnesium) and micro nutrient (zinc, iron, copper, boron, molybdenum,
manganese), in conjunction with organic sources of nutrients like green
manures, organic manures (compost), vermi-compost etc. and bio-
fertilizers.