Soil is the Foundation of Life: Healthy Soil Ensures a Secure Future – Know the Causes, Solutions, and Benefits of Soil Carbon Deficiency

Soil forms the foundation of all terrestrial life on Earth be it forests, grasslands, or agricultural land. Naturally, the discussion and care of soil health has become increasingly important. A deficiency of carbon in soil leads to reduced crop yields, hardening of the land, and a decline in water-holding capacity. Major contributing factors include the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, burning of crop residues, and frequent tillage.

How to Identify Healthy Soil:

You've ever dug into soil that is soft, crumbly, pleasantly earthy-smelling, and full of active insects and organisms, you've encountered healthy soil. In contrast, soil that is hard, dry, dull in color, and lifeless is considered unhealthy.
Scientifically, soil health refers to the soil’s ability to efficiently perform essential ecosystem functions like crop production, water infiltration, and carbon storage.

Soil, Carbon, and Climate Change:

Plants, microbes, and organisms in the soil absorb carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass—a process known as Carbon Sequestration. This natural mechanism plays a key role in tackling climate change and reducing atmospheric carbon levels.

Soil Quality and Farmer Prosperity: Research has proven that improving soil health through sustainable practices not only boosts agricultural productivity but also enhances farmers’ income. Healthy soil is the backbone of successful farming.

Solutions to Improve Soil Carbon Levels:

1. Increase Organic Matter: Add green manure, cow dung, vermicompost, and crop residues to enhance carbon content.
2. Adopt Crop Rotation: Leguminous crops like chickpea and pigeon pea help restore carbon and nitrogen in the soil.
3. Practice Conservation Agriculture: Zero tillage and mulching help prevent carbon loss from the soil.
4. Use Bio-Fertilizers: Organic manures enriched with humic acid help in carbon retention.
5. Plant Trees: Agroforestry helps increase the organic content of the soil through natural leaf and biomass deposition.

Three Essential Practices Every Farmer Should Follow:

1. Apply organic manure before sowing Kharif and Rabi crops.
2. Incorporate crop residues back into the soil instead of burning them.
3. Grow green manure crops like sunhemp or dhaincha at least once a year.

Five Major Benefits of Improving Soil Health through Organic Practices:

1. Enhanced soil fertility and improved crop yields.
2. Better water retention and increased drought resistance.
3. Increased microbial activity and biodiversity in the soil.
4. Reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers.
5. Long-term soil health for sustainable farming.