Khet Bachao Abhiyan: Addressing Agrarian Distress and Soil Health – Mains Specific

Introduction

The Khet Bachao Abhiyan represents a concerted effort by agricultural experts and grassroots activists to address the deepening crisis in Indian agriculture. The movement focuses on the deteriorating state of soil health, which is the foundational asset for farmers. By conducting outreach programs directly in villages, experts are attempting to bridge the knowledge gap between laboratory research and field implementation to reverse land degradation and declining crop yields.

Why in News?

• Agricultural experts have launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan to engage with farming communities at the village level.
• The movement is a response to the growing observation of yield plateaus, increasing input costs, and declining soil fertility across several agrarian regions in India.
• The campaign aims to shift farmer focus from intensive chemical dependency towards sustainable soil management and improved agricultural practices.

Static Link

• This issue is deeply linked to the static subject of Indian Agriculture under GS Paper III.
• It connects with concepts of Soil Science, Sustainable Agriculture, and Land Degradation.
• The UPSC often tests the correlation between government subsidies for chemical fertilisers (NPK) and the resultant environmental degradation.
• It is vital for understanding the broader themes of food security, farmer income, and climate-resilient farming.

Institutional Link

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is the primary nodal body.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning are technical institutions involved in soil mapping.
• The campaign highlights the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in grassroots extension services.
• Potential UPSC Trap: Confusing the mandate of KVKs with local NGOs or the difference between State-led extension services and civil society movements like this.

Background of the Issue

• The Green Revolution led to the overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides to boost production.
• Over decades, this led to secondary nutrient deficiencies and the depletion of soil organic carbon.
• The rising cost of inputs has made farming economically unviable, leading to rural debt cycles.
• Current agricultural challenges are exacerbated by climate change, erratic monsoons, and water table depletion.

What Has Happened Recently?

• Experts have begun village-to-village tours to conduct soil audits and provide real-time advisory services to farmers.
• The focus is on educating farmers about the long-term dangers of soil salinisation and acidity caused by improper fertiliser application.
• The campaign advocates for the integration of traditional knowledge with modern technology.

Key Facts and Data

• Soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in many Indian agricultural belts have dropped significantly below the required 0.5 percent.
• Agriculture contributes significantly to India’s GDP and employs nearly half the workforce, making soil health a national security issue.

UPSC Syllabus Relevance

Prelims

• Agriculture: Soil health, fertilizers, sustainable farming, Government schemes like Soil Health Card scheme.

Mains

• GS Paper III: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems.

Essay

• Themes: Food security, the future of farming, environmental ethics, and the rural-urban divide.

Interview

• Questions regarding the viability of Indian agriculture, the role of technology in extension services, and the ethics of chemical usage.

Detailed Explanation

The Khet Bachao Abhiyan functions as a corrective mechanism for the systemic failure of agricultural extension services to reach the remotest farmers. The campaign addresses the multidimensional crisis of soil degradation, which is not merely a scientific issue but a socio-economic one. When soil health declines, crop failure risk increases, pushing farmers toward further debt, migration, or even extreme distress. The movement promotes soil testing and informed decision-making over the traditional practice of blanket fertiliser application.

Important Dimensions

Economic dimension

• High input costs (fertilisers/pesticides) erode the net profit margins of small and marginal farmers.

Social dimension

• Migration of youth from villages due to unviable farming conditions and the resulting strain on rural social structures.

Governance dimension

• The reliance on civil society and independent experts highlights gaps in government extension mechanisms like KVKs.

Environmental dimension

• Excessive nitrogen use leads to nitrate leaching, groundwater contamination, and loss of soil biodiversity.

Benefits / Significance

• Restoring soil health ensures long-term yield sustainability.
• Reducing dependence on expensive chemical inputs improves farmer income.
• Enhances resilience to climate change through better water retention.

Challenges / Concerns

• Resistance to change from farmers accustomed to traditional chemical-intensive methods.
• Lack of adequate infrastructure for continuous soil testing at the local level.
• Inconsistent state-level policy support for regenerative farming models.

Government Initiatives / Institutional Measures

• Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme: Aimed at giving farmers soil nutrient status reports.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Promoting organic farming and traditional methods.
• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).

Prelims-Oriented Points

• Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of soil health.
• The NPK ratio (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) ideal balance is 4:2:1.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras are funded by ICAR.

Mains-Oriented Analysis

• The movement signifies a bottom-up approach to the "Evergreen Revolution."
• Sustainable agriculture is not just about environment but about preserving the rural economy.
• Coordination between academia, government, and farmers is the missing link.

Possible UPSC Questions

Prelims

1. Which of the following factors significantly contribute to the degradation of soil health in India?

a) Excessive use of chemical nitrogenous fertilizers

b) Over-irrigation leading to salinization

c) Lack of crop rotation

d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Mains

1. Discuss the impact of chemical-intensive farming on soil health in India. How can grassroots movements like Khet Bachao Abhiyan complement government efforts to achieve sustainable agriculture?

Way Forward

• Integrate AI and mobile-based soil advisory systems with village-level community outreach.
• Incentivise farmers for adopting soil-regenerative practices through direct benefit transfers (DBTs).
• Strengthen the capacity of KVKs to conduct regular soil health awareness workshops.

Conclusion

The Khet Bachao Abhiyan is a timely reminder that the sustainability of Indian agriculture rests upon the health of its soil. While government schemes provide the framework, the actual transformation requires a cultural shift in farming practices. Strengthening the synergy between agricultural researchers, policymakers, and farmers will be crucial to securing India’s food future and ensuring the dignity of the farming profession.