Negative Soil Moisture Anomaly (SMA)

A recent study has highlighted significant soil moisture anomalies (Negative Soil Moisture Anomaly (SMA)) across India in 2023, impacting agricultural productivity and water resource management.

Key-findings:

• Extent of Soil Moisture Anomalies
  • Approximately 32.8% of India's total land area experienced negative Soil Moisture Anomalies (SMA), indicating vulnerability to drought stress, covering about 1.08 million square kilometers.
  • Conversely, 47.7% of the country's geographical area saw positive SMA, leading to wetter soil conditions than usual and increasing the risks of flooding and water logging.
• Seasonal Variations
  • Monsoon Period (June-September):
    • Punjab benefited from positive soil moisture levels, supporting robust crop growth and potentially preventing flooding.
    • Odisha, with near-average soil moisture, could improve agriculture output by adopting water management techniques from Punjab.
    • Bihar and Jharkhand faced below-average soil moisture, necessitating improved irrigation and water conservation methods.
  • Pre-Monsoon Period (March-May):
    • Punjab maintained above-average soil moisture levels, whereas Odisha experienced slight deficits, suggesting a need for shared water management practices.
    • Andhra Pradesh and Kerala showed favorable conditions, while Bihar exhibited below-average soil moisture, emphasizing water conservation.
    • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands faced dry conditions, highlighting the urgency for enhanced water management practices.
  • Winter Period (December-February):
    • Punjab recorded positive soil moisture anomalies, benefiting winter crops and reducing the need for excess irrigation.
    • Odisha faced negative SMA, indicating drier conditions compared to historical averages, suggesting potential benefits from adopting Punjab's irrigation techniques.
  • State-Wise Implications
    • Punjab: Benefits from positive soil moisture anomalies, supporting robust agriculture.
    • Odisha: Faces challenges with negative SMA during specific periods, suggesting the adoption of efficient irrigation practices from other states.
    • Bihar, Jharkhand: Require improved water conservation and irrigation techniques to address drought impacts.
    • Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh: Showed variability in soil moisture levels, necessitating stable water management policies.
    • Andhra Pradesh, Kerala: Require customized water management plans due to varying soil moisture conditions.

Policy Recommendations

• There is need to develop tailored water management policies based on regional soil moisture conditions.
• The state must implement drought management plans in deficit areas and flood management strategies in surplus moisture areas.
• Farmers should invest in advanced soil moisture monitoring systems using remote sensing and ground-based sensors for real-time data.