Some issues and priorities for food security in Eurasian territories
Professor B.B.Mishra, BAU, Sabour, India
Content:
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8.
Mantra (Tips) for system production approach (crops)
Integrated Flood Management Options
Shrinkage of soil/land to decline the area under cultivation
A management option to execute farming activities
Farmers must come out above the level of poverty: Some tips
Soil/land degradation: Issues, opportunities and mitigation option
Photopedogenesis: Some clues
Water management option
1. Mantra (Tips) for system production approach (crops):
In order to ensure quality food security in Eurasian countries, our efforts must be well planned on
scientific footing, wherein soil stands first and foremost in decision making option. A healthy soil
recommended after due assessment may give almost 80% response to the recommended practices
(inputs). Remaining 20 % response relates to unseen pest & disease incidence and disastrous events.
The FAO is credited to develop the outlines/methodologies for soil/land evaluation, which may be
applied with necessary modification/revision on site specific basis.
Currently, our efforts is mostly confined to top soil (0-15 cm or 0-20 cm) linking its fertility (NPK, pH, EC
including some micronutrients and amendment like gypsum/lime without evaluating the whole soil unit
(pedon), which creates a big hurdle and challenges the sustainability in a big way. As a result, there are
problems like multinutrient deficiencies, factor productivity etc.
Soil in its horizontal dimension forms a sandwich between lithosphere and atmosphere and so is
the lowest boundary of entire earth's atmosphere excluding water cover or ocean. It is natural and does
not form any political/administrative boundary, but surely maintain a unique continuum across the
globe. It is a resource in three dimensions (pedon) to benefit our food, water and air (critical zone)
besides interacting with ultimate outcome of atmospheric environment and radiation. Soil in present
context is being used as an enterprise of Corporate Sector, wherein soil may be accepted directly as a
foodstuff, cosmetics, detergent, pottery, amendment etc. An agricultural soil seems to be an open
uterus for growth and nourishment of plant species, because it is the foundation. Besides, soil is a huge
laboratory for physical, chemical, bio/photochemical, microbiological, electrical, magnetic phenomenon.
A land with soil can never be a waste and its productivity varies from minimum (approaching zero) to as
high as 100. Soil Scientists of the world must sit together at a common platform to formulate a common
soil policy in a big way, wherein agricultural activities by respective specialists (crop scientists,
horticulturists, pathologists, farm managers) can be started only after receiving a bonafide prescription
recommended by a soil scientist in prescribed format (covering stepwise information like potential soil
productivity in association with limitation/improvement options, landuse suitability in specific set or
rotation, fertility status/soil health followed by recommended doses of nutrients/amendments).
Being a natural resource almost like sun (wherein sun is free from human interference in any
way), soil does not require any rest (if managed purposefully) and it can be exploited for continuous
cultivation. In view of this, the concept of conservation agriculture is the most remunerative option,
which simply implies to keep the soil covered with vegetation (or residues under drought) round the
year following four basic principles viz. (i) least or no physical disturbances, (ii) suitable crop rotation
based on suitability, (iii) identification of cover crops between two main crops in rotation based on
indigenous knowledge and (iv) special care for weed control. The planning and execution of CA need
careful operations and its success story, if truly achieved, certainly ensures:
(a)
Quality food security
(b)
Enriched sustainability of soil, and
(c)
Reduced greenhouse gas (CO2) emission leading to carbon trading in a big way.
2. Integrated Flood Management Options:
Eurasian food security is often challenged by periodical flood events common in many countries
including India, where Bihar is a typical state having a museum of rivers mostly meeting from Nepal.
Flood in simple word is nothing but excess water beyond the carrying capacity of river bed and I
presume this water as a gift of nature and that can not be disastrous because it is predictable. If I am a
Manager, my ultimate goal would be to stop flood water to move to ocean. Let this natural water be
utilized, transported and stored purposefully. We may be poor in our technical wisdom, but such
researchable problem could be overcome in researchable mode. In all fairness, the approach would be
integrated in which multi-disciplines are involved. Soil science to survey the flood affected area and level
of soil resistance against bank erosion followed by landuse suitability evaluation for crop-agroforestrysachharum sps production must prepare feasibility report. Remote sensing/GIS tools may facilitate the
flood forecasting of flood incidence and spatial delineation of catchment area besides actual position of
meandering/braiding of river channel etc. A few hypothesis:(i) Let the river channel be straight to give
the direction of river water straight so that bank erosion may be minimized (ii)To maintain the minimum
water velocity, check dam may be constructed as per slope gradient (iii) Desiltation of the river-bed as
per need (iv) River to be divided into compartments at desirable intervals following a provision to
pisciculture (fishery) on cooperative basis (v) Agro-forestry on river bank (25 m) followed by national
highway (25 m) and railways (25 m) in a very planned way. Such report submitted by me in a published
book (25 Years Perspective Plan of Bihar, 2009 by BCC,SKC,SNPrasad & BBMishra) of the Soil Survey &
Land Use Planning Unit of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, India.
Such management is site specific (whether flood in hilly area or plain land). Linking rivers or transporting
water to other areas may be some aspiring options even for revenue generation and Bihar should lead in
India in a positive spirit. Let other Eurasian countries share their wisdom towards integrated flood
management in Bihar in a big way. I strongly believe that the flood is not a curse (unless it is Tsunami),
but a boon to this great territory in days to come, if our efforts do move from flood control to flood
relief and now to integrated flood management.
3. Shrinkage of soil/land to decline the area under cultivation:
The global human race for its immediate benefits does create an abnormal situation that invites the
challenges not only to food insecurity but also to the global climate change just by non-scientific
exploitation of soil, which forms the lowest boundary of entire atmosphere excluding water body and
ocean. Let me place a few issues of immediate concern as below:
(i) The population rise coupled with economic growth encourages not only the trend of urbanization,
but definitely causes the shrinkage/sealing of productive land/soil. In India, such shrinkage seems to be
rather proportional to one's economic growth. As a result, productive lands are converted into lands
with non-farming activities like building-road-market-playground construction.
(ii) No planning is virtually operative for safeguard of such productive soils. No legal ban is imposed in
favour of soil as a natural resource. Besides, such non-scientific approach encourages the chances of
global warming in a big way. As a soil scientist, I am grieved and wish to invite a global initiative.
I, however, strongly believe that (a) a system analysis to achieve the gross rural happiness/livelihood in
agricultural sector just by synthesis of farmer's activities at very farmer's door is the most appropriate
measure, (b) imposing international legal ban against shrinkage/sealing of land/soil would restore the
productive land/soil, (c) mitigating global climate change by continuous cultivation (conservation
agriculture) in a big way and (d) direct linking of "sowing/planting-harvesting-threshing-processing-value
addition-packaging-marketing" at farmer's door as an effective tool to eradicate the farmer's poverty
would be the ultimate goal of the farming community across the globe.
This is an economic revolution to mitigate the overall disastrous consequences of food insecurity.
One of the biggest problems in Eurasian countries like India is the shrinkage of soil/soil sealing due to
speedy urbanization, non-farming activities, construction of buildings, roads etc. Such non-scientific
approach leads to shrinkage of productive lands. If a hectare of fertile land produces 30 quintals/year
and if 1.5 quintal cereal is food requirement of one person in India, the so-called shrinkage would cause
food crisis. This is alarming. It seems, there must be some legal ban after due consideration of
residential problems to be solved alternatively.
4. A management option to execute farming activities:
Today, the globe particularly the Eurasian territories in general is suffering from nutritious and quality
food insecurity, which is linked directly with poor livelihood, economic diversity, social insecurity,
unrest, corruption and crime. Agriculture is at risk facing challenges of diversified nature. Soil is the
foundation on which relative management options are formulated to suit the need of land use. But, soil
is used in suppression in most of the cases. Unfortunately, only top soil of 0-15 cm or hardly 0-25 cm
depth with fertility data is considered to be enough as if soil unit (pedon) is dead or pedology is buried.
In fact, soil is a natural resource like the sun, which does not require any rest and soil can be exploited
for production round the year. But, in order to maintain sustainability, the agricultural foundation (soil)
must be evaluated for pedogenic productivity, limitation identification followed by improvement so that
such resource must attain its potential productivity. Then, classify the land unit for specific set of land
uses for remunerative return. Once the land use suitability is identified, there is need to assess the soil
fertility and input requirement. Such systematic approach would help to maintain the long-term
production approach. This should be mandatory in agricultural production system.
By and large, we need gross rural happiness. Conservation agriculture may be a boon and so there must
be refinement in line with the theme.
5. Farmers must come out above the level of poverty: Some tips
Farmers cannot be said poor, if global food security campaign is designed and approved in line as under
(in crop production, for example):
(i)Let a farmer sow/plant the seed/seedling/necesary plant following the recommended technology and
available inputs (already existing).
(II)Let him harvest the product under his own control following the improved technology (already
existing in most parts).
(iii)Farmer must have liberty to store his produce or go for post harvest technology/processing or even
value addition to fetch a good price. Let farmers be sole responsible in planning and decision.
(iv)Farmers must be exposed for opportunities in marketing (import/export) and that too under their
direct control.
The above four point poverty alleviation programme at farmer's door (direct control) virtually needs
encouragement/approval by the policy makers (Government), agricultural universities, cooperative
bodies and extension workers. Every farmer with landed property is legalised to furnish all four steps at
his door. Other professions like dairy, goattery, mushroom production, apiary etc additional to boost up
the economics. Once the programme is legalised just by adopting a village (as NUCLEUS VILLAGE), the
farmers will get excited towards its adoption.
The above simple tips seem to be vital towards food security mission particularly in Eurasian countries in
all fairness.
6. Soil/land degradation: Issues, opportunities and mitigation option:
Food security works in a system to achieve 100% goal through agricultural interventions wherein soil is
the only foundation to switch on. If permitted, soil degradation, in my own perception, is merely an
academic term. I would like sincerely to establish the following facts:
(i)
As a natural law, upland is subject to erosion followed subsequently by deposition in low land in
order to attain the equilibrium in the landform. A soil developed on basalt is relatively resistant to
erosion as compared to soil developed on limestone and I have questioned USLE even (Ethiopian
experience). A floodplain sand is suitable for Saccharum sps, cucurbits and even sweet potato,
sandyloam to loam for maize and clayey for pulses. Even the stony soil is suitable for edible varieties of
cactus. If a soil suffers from physical constraint that is amendable, we can correct it. Similarly, chemical
as well as biological limitations can be minimized within the farmer’s reach. For such exercise, FAO has
already forwarded procedures under “Land Evaluation & Landuse Planning & Landuse Suitability
Procedures” that can hardly be modified or revised on site specific basis. If the constraints are not
correctable within available resource, we can move to its suitability for alternative landuse. But, no land
could be said a “ waste land” or “degraded land”, because soil is a natural resource subject to
production.
(ii)
Development in the field of remote sensing & GIS is encouraging to supplement or complement
the existing knowledge. Its use in interpretation for whole soil (pedon) or about inherent soil features is
simply a blunder in all fairness. Similarly, simulation studies in many cases may be of academic interest,
but may not be purposeful particularly in soil degradation studies. Such studies (GIS based) should
preferably be kept confined to what is called area delineation and mapping, but may not be
generalized. I strongly feel , the FAO land/soil evaluation (parametric) is logical covering major aspects
under soil degradation, but unfortunately lacks acceptance/popularization. My humble suggestion is to
stick to the FAO evaluation plan and refine it according to local needs by the teams under operation for
its popularization on way to food security.
(iii)
Besides, soils are classified in different systems including WRB, FAO/UNESCO, USDA soil
classifications and in one way or the other, criteria is based on nature, kind and level of its degradation.
If something has happened with soil like tsunami , it is often considered under contingent plan to
resolve. Unfortunately, soil is studied mostly in 0-15 cm or 0-20 cm depth (top soil) and hardly on whole
soil basis (pedon). Obviously, the knowledge about soil degradation or related limitations is incomplete.
So, for characterization of soil degradation, one may accomplish the followings (Plan outline): (i) soil
studies on whole soil basis following the soil classification (include top soil too that is meant mainly for
management according to landuse specified), (ii) Land evaluation and land use planning as per
prescribed FAO set rules, (iii) Limitation identification based on parametric approach and their grading
(both correctable & non-correctable limitations being indicators of soil degradation), (iv) Improvement
as per technology/input/resources available and accessible followed by re-evaluation for quantifying the
potential productivity of the soil in hand, (v) Identification of specific set of land use suitability in
rotation (if annual/seasonal crops), (vi) Soil test for fertility evaluation and nutrient recommendation (on
whole rotation basis, taking residual nutrient effect as well as nutrient equivalence of organic sources to
be added to ensure balanced nutrition either through conventional or INM or even organic sources and
(vii) Adoption of conservation agriculture following its basic principles wherein soil should not be bare
round the year with a provision to provide “cover crops” between two main crops in a given rotation.
Science is a key to the natural system to exploit and that too for the welfare of mankind. Science also
teaches us that we are right through the set rules like setting of hypotheses, experimental testing of
alternatives, analysis of process and all are intended to validate what is actually happening and to prove
cause and effect. Soil degradation, “purely in academic term”, is a multi-component complex
phenomenon, but as a process, it is covered while soils are evaluated and classified as outlined above.
The above “Plan outline” as an effective way towards Eurasian food security may be validated on global
basis and I humbly request for comments/criticism for improvement in days to come. I consider it as
“Mantra” (holy words ) and I wish, it must be tested across the globe. Other identical approaches will
certainly complement over this Mantra for food security in a big way.
7. Photopedogenesis: Some clues
Soil is the lowest boundary of the entire earth’s atmosphere excluding ocean or water body. Entire
interactions (energy-energy and energy-matter) taking place within the atmosphere are subject to
further interactions with soil bodies giving changes like what we call diurnal thermal change and so. A
bare or fresh rock or mineral get covered with mosses or fern or even algae during rain and
phototrophic bacteria survive that depends on soil chemical environment, soil texture and moisture
content. Clay minerals and humus are two major components that control the electro-chemical behavior
of soil induced by light in presence of moisture. Such clue may be promoted as an indicator of overall
soil quality in relation to soil productivity. But, it requires further validation.
8. Water management option:
Water is like blood to a soil supporting a crop/plant. In view of emerging scenario of water scarcity, this
issue is grave. Each drop of water must be utilized purposefully. To maximize the water use efficiency,
soil must be at optimal stage, where (i) water loss by leaching/runoff or evaporation/transpiration is
minimum, (ii) vertical/lateral loss of water through soil body/lithosphere is negligible,(iii) maximum
rainwater/floodwater recharge and (iv) rainwater harvesting may be mandatory at farmer’s level.
Watershed development and its management must be on site and situation specific. There is need to
transport flood water even in priority area. In a soil developed on basalt, there is possibility of stored
water to move below the rock even due to its chemical reduction and so. The whole issue is location
specific.