Poor soil management will erode food security

Context:

The consequences of the irreparable damage by soil degradation on human and healthy ecosystems can affect the government’s food security efforts for sustainable future.

Degradation and its consequences:

• Drivers of soil degradation: The primary sources are industrial activities, mining, waste treatment, agriculture, fossil fuel extraction, and processing and transport emissions.
• Depleting health of soil: Nearly 3.7 million hectares suffer from nutrient loss in soil. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides and irrigation with contaminated wastewater are also polluting soils.
• The area affected: Soil degradation in some form or another affects around 29% of India’s total land area.