Forum global sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition (Forum FSN)

Dr. Pradip Dey

ICAR-AICRP (STCR), Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal
Inde

Dear All,

Good day!

Nutrient management in India over time has specific syndrome which can be summarised by abuse of nitrogen, disuse of potassium, and generally coupled with overuse of phosphorus. It suggests inherent flaws in fertilizer application practices adopted by farmers that probably promotes imbalance in nutrient applications. The ICAR project on soil test crop response (AICRP-STCR) has used the multiple regression approach to develop relationship between crop yield on the one hand, and soil test estimates and fertilizer inputs on the other, can be effectively used to tackle such flaws. The future line of work should include, development of soil health assessment and management protocols on the basis of farming systems after superimposing agro-ecological regions, soil type, yield targeting and resource availability with broader commitment of improving soil health and reducing carbon-footprint; development of decision support tool which can be used for judicious agricultural resource management and periodic soil quality monitoring; evaluation and propagation of customized and speciality fertilizers, nano plant nutrient products; development and calibration of soil sensors for soil test crop response. Resudue burning need to be addressed holistically including energy consideration and dynamics of active / resistant pool of soil organic cabon. For salt affected soil, controlled drainage-subirrigation systems for recycling nitrate leaching from the soil profile and reduce nitrate lost in tile drainage may be advocated to all land reclamation corporation. Also there is a need to harness and manage the indigenous technical knowledge and fine-tune them to suit the modern needs. Notwithstanding the uncertainty over Kyoto commitments and instruments, the twin aspect of devising strategies for leveraging resources to tackle the challenge of low carbon transformation and strategies to enhance soil health and carbon sequestration will help in combating climate change without compromising economic development.

With warm regards,

Pradip Dey