Soil Management in Nayakrishi Practicing        

Soil management is an important aspect in Nayakrishi farming. Crop production planning is based on diversity and specialty of soil fertility management. Seeds of local varieties of crops, mixed cropping, intercropping and crop rotation are incorporated keeping adaptation in view to meet challenges of climate change variations. Soil fertility has been declining significantly with time since the introduction of modern agriculture in the name of green revolution with the increased use of pesticide, chemical fertilizer, and extraction of ground water for irrigation and use of mechanized implements for cultivation. At present, the amount of organic matter in soil is less than 2 percent in most of the land. The business doors of the companies and traders have been opening due to reduction of organic matter in soil and application of nitrogen (urea), potassium (potash) and sulfur in the domain of trading hegemony. Gradually soil is becoming hard brittle, impaired seed germination, unfilled grains of cereals, and reduction of yield of crops due to unhealthy soil conditions.

Moreover, soil fertility is also declining day by day due to rain out of time, excess flow of water, heavy flow of air and removal of top soil. The soil is becoming impotent and crop productivity is declining due to ploughing of land by tractor. Under these circumstances, the realistic approach is to implement Nayakrishi principles of production. Stratification of soil is taken into account in Nayakrishi approach of crop production which supports the plant kingdom to stand erect and provide food and nutition.

Soil is mainly composed of organic matter, minerals, water and air. There is need of 45% minerals and 05% organic matter in soil. Dead plants and animals contribute to soil organic matter in natural cycle. Organic matter helps retention of water and air in soil. Air in soil provides oxygen for plants root and microbes. These aspects are taken into account in Nayakrishi principles of production.

There are 17 essential elements including nitrogen phosphorous, potassium calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, chlorine, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. Soil resource potentiality, is ensured with incorporation of the essential elements in addition the provision of 5 percent organic matter through biodiversity based Nayakrishi principles of production. Thus top soil at about the depth of 7-8 inches is maintained congenial to growth and development of crops.

The following exercises are performed in Nayakrishi keeping the soil management and maintenance of soil fertility in view.

• Practice biodiversity based ecological agriculture matching vibrant force of nature for maintaining soil fertility management.

• Immediately turn off the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizer, and extraction of ground water for irrigation and mechanized method of plowing.

• The role of organic matter is very important for soil management and restoration of soil fertility.

• Applications of sufficient amount of cow-dung, compost, etc. are ensured with a view to maintaining rich soil fertility status.

• Improve soil organic matter content through green manure and incorporation of stables on soil.

• Maintained soil fertility through mixed cropping, intercropping, and crop rotation.

• Crops extract huge amount of nitrogen from soil. Consequently, there is deficiency of this element in the soil. Such deficiency is made up by cultivation of pulse crops. These plants fix atmospheric nitrogen in a symbiotic association with bacteria. Soil should be so maintained as to support growth and development of soil micro-organisms for improving soil fertility.

• Top soil is maintained through proper attention and care preventing runoff and seepage.

• Crop field is maintained open to allow natural siltation from flow of river and open water bodies.

• Maintain soil fertility through cultivation of local varieties of crops.

• Maintain soil moisture with irrigation from surface water and stopping the extraction of ground water for irrigation.

Overall, biodiversity based ecological agriculture that means practicing Nayakrishi is the best way for maintaining soil.

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