Deteriorating Agricultural Land in India: Challenges and Hope for the Future

India’s agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy and sustains millions of farmers. However, behind the scenes, the very land that feeds the nation is facing serious threats. Agricultural land across India is deteriorating — shrinking in quality and productivity due to multiple factors like fragmentation, incorrect farming practices, water scarcity, and more. This decline poses a risk not only to farmers’ livelihoods but also to national food security.

Why Is Agricultural Land Deteriorating?

1. Small and Fragmented Land Holdings

One of the biggest challenges is the fragmentation of land over generations. According to the Agricultural Census 2020, around 86% of all operational holdings are less than 2 hectares in size. Such small plots make it difficult for farmers to invest in mechanization or modern practices, leading to lower productivity.

2. Wrong Crop on the Wrong Soil

India’s diverse agro-climatic zones require specific crops suited to local conditions. However, data shows that over 60% of cultivated land is used for water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane, even in water-scarce regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra, resulting in nutrient depletion and soil degradation.

3. Excessive Use of Chemicals

India ranks among the top consumers of fertilizers globally. Between 2010 and 2020, fertilizer consumption grew by nearly 30%, but only a fraction reaches the plants effectively. Overuse has led to soil acidification, especially in states like Punjab and West Bengal.

4. Water Scarcity and Inefficient Use

Agriculture accounts for nearly 80% of India’s total water usage. Over-extraction of groundwater has caused alarming declines; the Central Ground Water Board reports that over 30% of India’s groundwater blocks are overexploited. Traditional flood irrigation methods also waste around 60% of the water supplied.

5. Urbanization and Industrialization

Between 2000 and 2020, India lost over 1.2 million hectares of agricultural land to urban expansion and industrial projects, according to the Land Use Statistics by the Ministry of Agriculture. This trend pressures remaining farmland, accelerating degradation.

6. Soil Erosion and Climate Impact

The Soil Survey of India estimates that around 146 million hectares (about 45%) of India’s land are affected by erosion, salinity, or alkalinity, impacting productivity. Climate change projections warn of increased droughts and floods, further stressing the agricultural system.

What Does This Mean for Farmers and India?

The deterioration of agricultural land directly affects farmers by lowering yields and incomes. Poor land quality increases costs and makes farming unsustainable, pushing many to abandon agriculture or incur debt. At a larger scale, it threatens India’s ability to produce enough food for its growing population, potentially increasing dependence on imports and food insecurity.

Steps Being Taken and the Way Forward

Fortunately, awareness and action are growing at various levels:

• Soil Health Card Scheme: Launched in 2015, this program has issued over 14 crore (140 million) soil health cards, helping farmers apply fertilizers efficiently based on soil nutrient status.

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Aims to promote organic farming across 5 lakh hectares through cluster-based approaches.

• Per Drop More Crop (Micro Irrigation): This scheme promotes efficient water use via drip and sprinkler irrigation and has covered more than 80 lakh hectares to date.

• Formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): The government supports over 10,000 FPOs to help small farmers pool resources and access markets and technology.

• National Agroforestry Policy: Encourages integration of trees in farming systems to improve soil health and sustainability.

What Can We Do?

As citizens, consumers, and stakeholders, supporting sustainable farming practices, buying organic produce, and encouraging policies that protect farmland are crucial steps. Farmers need education, resources, and infrastructure to adopt better land management methods.

India’s agricultural land is at a crossroads. With collective effort and sustainable practices, we can restore and protect this vital resource — ensuring that our farmers thrive and the nation’s food security is safeguarded for generations to come.