Figure 26 – soil management techniques

The Central Soil Conservation Board, set up by the Government of India, has prepared a number of plans for soil conservation in different parts of the country. These plans are based on the climatic conditions, configuration of land and the social behaviour of people.

Centrally sponsored scheme entitled “National project on management of soil health and fertility (NPMSF)” has been formulated by the centre in 2008-09. It aims to facilitate and promote Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic fertilizers. It also aims to strengthen soil testing facilities by installing more soil testing laboratories. One of the components is to build up capacity through training of farmers and field demonstration etc. Project also envisages preparing database for balanced use of fertilizer, which is site specific. Other project/missions such as National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), National project on promotion of organic farming, Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee act (MGNREGA), soil and land use survey projects of centre etc. have bearing on managing the quality of soil.

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