ICAR Prepares Draft Bharat Soil Health Policy to Create 1 Lakh Entrepreneurs

The central government is preparing to roll out a new soil health policy, with the first draft already completed, according to ML Jat, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Speaking at a roundtable on fertilizer policy organized by think tank ICRIER, Jat noted that the policy aims to create 100,000 soil health entrepreneurs across the country.

Discussions regarding the proposed Bharat Soil Health Policy have involved various stakeholders over the past year, supported by regional consultations. Jat highlighted that implementation remains a major challenge for the policy's success. To address grassroots outreach, the government plans to launch an initial phase involving at least 1,000 soil health entrepreneurs, with subsequent expansion driven by public-private partnerships and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding.

Addressing the adoption of nano-fertilizers introduced to reduce granular chemical fertilizer usage, Jat acknowledged that initial communication strategies faced shortcomings. He pointed out that the messaging regarding 'one bottle versus one bag' created unrealistic expectations, as nano-urea is specifically required at the final crop stage. ICAR has initiated systematic research across 15 locations to generate concrete evidence regarding the proper application and potential of nano-fertilizers.

Data shared during the discussion identified over 100 districts where farmers apply more than double the required quantity of fertilizers. ICAR suggests that skipping even a single application and utilizing water sprays can maintain crop health without yield loss. Additionally, Jat emphasized the need to explore indigenous mineral sources such as glauconite and leverage schemes like Gobardhan to generate organo-nutrient resources domestically.

According to ICAR, India possesses the potential to replace one-third of its chemical fertilizers through organic resources combined with judicious usage, though this will require supportive policies and farmer incentives. Furthermore, the council has integrated nutrient efficiency into its crop breeding programs, shifting its traditional focus solely from productivity enhancement to sustainable nutrient management.

"The focus on creating soil health entrepreneurs marks a practical step toward bridging the gap between agricultural research and grassroots implementation. By engaging local entrepreneurship and exploring indigenous mineral resources, this policy can help address fertilizer inefficiencies and support sustainable agricultural practices in India." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes