Soil salinity threat growing in Karnataka: Expert

Dharwad: Soil scientist Dr VB Kulagod has warned that unscientific farming practices are leading to severe soil degradation and rising salinity in agricultural land across Karnataka.Speaking at the World Earth Day programme organised by the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI) in Dharwad, he said excessive use of groundwater for irrigation and improper soil and water management have increased salinity and alkalinity problems. Borewell water with high salt content is worsening the situation, he noted.Dr Kulagod said more than 80,000 hectares of irrigated land in the state have already turned saline and alkaline, making soil reclamation highly expensive. He advised farmers to apply nutrients and chemicals only after soil and water testing.MLC FH Jakkappanavar stressed the need to strictly implement the Water Pollution Control Act to conserve water and prevent contamination. He said farmers should regularly conduct soil testing and make use of scientific research for profitable farming.Presiding over the programme, WALMI director Girish Maraddi said shrinking cultivable land due to industrialisation and urbanisation has made food security a major concern. He pointed out that only 141 million hectares of India's 329 million hectares geographical area are available for cultivation.Maraddi emphasised scientific management of soil and water resources and cautioned against excessive monocropping of sugarcane, paddy, maize and cotton, which reduces soil fertility. He advised farmers to adopt crop rotation and integrated farming practices, including livestock, tree-based and value-added agriculture.
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