Land Degradation Affects Over One Crore Hectares in Gujarat, Raising Concerns for Agriculture
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
More than one crore hectares of land in Gujarat has been affected by land degradation, raising concerns over the long-term impact on agriculture, water resources and the environment.
Experts say soil erosion, increasing salinity, excessive groundwater extraction, deforestation, industrial expansion and unplanned urbanisation have contributed significantly to the decline in land quality across the state.
Gujarat among the most affected states
With around 1.02 crore hectares of land affected, Gujarat is among the states facing a substantial decline in soil quality. Rajasthan has the largest degraded land area, followed by Maharashtra, with Gujarat ranking among the most affected states.
Environmental experts say deteriorating soil fertility is reducing crop productivity, increasing cultivation costs and directly affecting farmers’ incomes.
Major crops facing productivity concerns
The decline in soil quality has become a growing concern for crops such as cotton, groundnut, wheat and millet, where farmers have increasingly reported lower productivity in recent years.
Experts warn that continued land degradation could also affect food security, groundwater recharge and biodiversity.
Regional impact across Gujarat
The impact varies across regions.
In Kutch, Saurashtra and parts of North Gujarat, drought, desertification and water scarcity are making agricultural land increasingly vulnerable.
In Central and South Gujarat, soil erosion and improper land use are contributing to the deterioration of farmland quality.
Experts call for conservation measures
Agricultural and environmental experts have called for measures such as tree plantation, micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, scientific farming practices, wider use of soil health cards and promotion of organic farming.
They said timely intervention would be critical to restoring soil health and protecting agricultural productivity.
Experts cautioned that if effective conservation measures are not implemented, the impact on Gujarat’s farming sector and environmental sustainability could become more severe in the coming years.
