Land Degradation in India: A Serious Problem

Land degradation is a global issue, but more so for India since close to 30 percent of its geographical area is already affected. Currently, 97.85 million hectares (mha) of land already stands degraded. Of this, 3.32 mha – an area 22 times the size of Delhi – has been added in the 15 years from 2004 to 2019. These findings and the details have been published in the Desertification & Land Degradation Atlas of India made public by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The numbers highlight the stiff challenge India faces to achieve its target of becoming land degradation neutral by 2030, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2019 at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

What is Land Degradation?

According to the UNCCD, land degradation is the reduction or loss of biological or economic productivity resulting from land uses, or from a process or combination of processes, including human activities.

The cost of land degradation is much more substantial for India, where agriculture is a large contributor to the national GDP. A study by The Energy & Resources institute (TERI), Delhi, has estimated that economic losses from land degradation in 2014-15 were Rs. 317,739 crore (US$46.9 billion), equivalent to 2.54% of GDP in that year.

This rapid degradation in India most adversely affects the livelihood of farmers dependent on rains, and forest dwellers. More than half of the degraded land in the country is either farmland responsible for food security or forestland that offers a natural defence against climate change, as shown by Down To Earth’s analysis of ISRO data.

While the problem is well-known, the solution needs to be outlined clearly and backed by strong policies.

The country needs a separate policy for rainfed farms with best practices that work for them. In the specific case of forests, afforestation drives are the surest solution to land degradation.

Agroforestry under approved models and species can be permitted as a livelihood option for forest dwellers and forest fringe communities on degraded forest lands instead of unscientific shift-cultivation.

To reverse degradation in large parcels of degraded forests, many stakeholders, forest experts, State Forest Departments, industry organisations & members, and local communities need to come together.

This also can be spearheaded by strong policies that include budgetary allocations, institutional finance, modern technology, and professional management with full accountability and cooperation from local communities and all stakeholders.

At Urvara Krsi, we believe that income generated through agroforestry is beneficial for rainfed farmlands and also increases soil productivity, while improving carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change – ultimately benefiting agricultural crops.

That is why we promote sustainable cultivation models in agroforestry with associated farmers to augment their income in fallow, low-productive, and rainfed lands, and also endeavour to scale up the optimum farm health & productivity through farmers’ education across geographies.

About Urvara Krsi

Urvara Krsi promotes sustainable and environment-conscious cultivation of niche agricultural crops and agroforestry. We engage in the production & supply of high-quality planting stock and technology to farmers, and are a leading agricultural raw material provider to agro-based industries.

Incorporated in 2019, Urvara Krsi currently operates in four states of India: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. We have three (3) main Business verticals, viz. Commercial Agroforestry, Cultivation of Agricultural crops in contract farming models, and Agricultural Consultancy.

Through our B2B consultancy services, we cater to companies looking to enhance their farmer network, strengthen their R&D, and experiment with new crops and geographies by enabling clients to collaborate closely with local communities to identify new crops, launch pilot projects, and set up dedicated, cost-effective cultivation programs.

Urvara Krsi acts as the opportunity bridge between small-holder farmers and industrial buyers exploring new geographies with backward linkages through farmers’ networks.

To partner with Urvara Krsi, or to learn more about what we do, please Contact Us.