GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3929
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25TH MARCH 2025
EXCESSIVE USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES
3929. SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:
SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:
SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:
PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:
DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:
SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to soil degradation in various parts of the country including Maharashtra, if so, the regions in the country affected by soil quality degradation along with the measures taken to prevent further deterioration of soil quality and restore degraded lands;
(b) whether the Government is promoting organic farming and reduced chemical fertilizer usage to improve soil health and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there are any incentives or subsidies for farmers adopting soil-friendly agricultural practices and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has assessed the decline in organic carbon content in Indian soil, if so, the details thereof, including the States most affected;
(e) the impact of declining organic matter on agricultural productivity;
(f) the corrective steps taken to improve soil organic carbon and overall soil fertility;
(g) whether the Government has formulated a national policy on sustainable soil
Management, if so, the key provisions of the policy; and
(h) the financial allocations made for implementing soil conservation programmes?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): There are concerns on excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides leading to soil quality degradation in various parts of the country including Mahrashtra.
To address the same, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recommends soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management. ICAR has suggested combined use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients and location specific soil & water conservation measures for preventing deterioration of soil health and fertility. Government is implementing Soil Health and Fertility Scheme to assist State Governments in promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients along with organic manures & bio-fertilizers, for improving soil health and fertility. Government is promoting organic farming and reduction in chemical fertilizer usage to improve soil health through the schemes of Paramparagat Krishi VikasYojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs (except North Eastern States) and for North Eastern States, Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Both the schemes stress on end-to-end support to farmers engaged in organic farming. The schemes promote natural resource based integrated and climate resilient sustainable farming systems that ensure maintenance and increase of soil fertility, natural resource conservation, on-farm nutrient recycling and minimize dependence of farmers on external Inputs. Under PKVY scheme, States/UTs are provided financial assistance of Rs. 31,500/ha in total in 3 years in the organic clusters out of which, Rs.15,000/ha is provided directly to farmers through DBT for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs, Rs.4, 500/ha for marketing, packaging, branding, value addition etc., Rs.3,000/ha for certification and residue analysis and Rs.9, 000/ha for training and capacity building. Under MOVCDNER scheme, assistance of Rs.46,500/ha in total in 3 years is provided for creation of Farmers Producer Organizations, support to farmers for organic inputs etc. Out of this, assistance @ Rs.32,500/ ha is provided to farmers for off -farm /on –farm organic inputs including Rs.15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer to the farmers.
(d) to (h): Presence of organic carbon in agricultural land is regularly checked through Soil Health Card (SHC) under the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme. 24.84 crore SHCs have been generated under the Scheme till date. Under Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, 7 Lakh demonstrations, 93,781 farmer’s trainings and 7,425 farmer’s melas have been organized on the balanced use of fertilizers to improve soil quality. Advisories are issued to farmers through Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). In addition, 70,002 Krishi Sakhis have been trained to issue soil health card advisories. Rs.1721 crore funds under this scheme have been released so far.