Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Soil Conservation

Abstract

Soil degradation in Nagpur, driven by water-induced erosion, nutrient depletion, and intensive farming, threatens agricultural productivity in this semi-arid region. This report evaluates sustainable agricultural practices—conservation tillage, cover cropping, and agroforestry—for soil conservation, tailored to Nagpur’s black cotton soils and monsoon climate. Field experiments conducted in Nagpur’s rural areas (2020–2025) demonstrate that conservation tillage reduces soil erosion by 35–40%, cover cropping increases soil organic carbon (SOC) by 15–20%, and agroforestry enhances soil moisture retention by 18–22%. Socio-economic surveys of 200 local farmers indicate that 70% face adoption barriers due to high costs and limited technical knowledge. We propose localized strategies, including subsidized equipment, seed banks, and extension services, to promote these practices. These findings underscore the potential of sustainable practices to enhance soil health and ensure long-term agricultural resilience in Nagpur.

Introduction

Nagpur, Maharashtra’s “Orange City,” is a major agricultural area growing cotton, soybean, and oranges. However, its black cotton soils (Vertisols) are highly prone to erosion, waterlogging, and cracking, especially during monsoon and dry periods. About 30% of soils are degraded, largely due to monocropping and conventional tillage.

Study Objectives:

1. Evaluate the impact of conservation tillage, cover cropping, and agroforestry on soil erosion and health.

2. Measure changes in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), moisture, and nutrient retention.

3. Identify barriers to adoption and propose scalable interventions.

Key Methods:

• Conducted in Kalmeshwar, Hingna, and Kamptee talukas.

• Analyzed soil samples (0–30 cm depth), rainfall data, and erosion using USLE & RUSLE models with ArcGIS.

• Compared three practices:

  • Conservation tillage (no/reduced tillage on cotton/soybean)

  • Cover cropping (legumes & grasses in fallow periods)

  • Agroforestry (mango/citrus trees with crops)

• Collected socio-economic data from 200 farmers via surveys.

Key Findings:

A. Soil and Crop Benefits

• Conservation tillage reduced erosion by 35–40%.

• Cover cropping increased SOC by 15–20%.

• Agroforestry improved soil moisture by 18–22% and reduced fertilizer needs by 10–15%.

• All methods helped retain nutrients, improve soil structure, and increase productivity.

B. Geospatial Modelling

• High erosion risk areas were mapped near Wardha River basins.

• RUSLE showed 40% erosion reduction in high-risk zones using conservation tillage.

C. Adoption Challenges

• 70% of farmers face barriers:

  • High costs (55%) for equipment or saplings

  • Lack of training (35%)

• Most farmers are smallholders (<2 ha), limiting capacity to invest.

Recommended Strategies:

1. Subsidize no-till equipment via KVKs.

2. Create community seed banks for cover crops.

3. Offer agroforestry incentives under MGNREGA.

4. Promote digital training in Marathi via apps like Kisan Suvidha.

Conclusion

Conservation tillage, cover cropping, and agroforestry are effective for soil conservation in Nagpur, reducing erosion by 35–40%, increasing SOC by 15–20%, and improving moisture retention by 18–22%. However, adoption is limited by costs and knowledge gaps. Localized strategies, leveraging Nagpur’s KVKs and government schemes, can scale these practices. Future research should focus on low-cost technologies and participatory models to ensure sustainable agriculture in Nagpur’s semi-arid landscape.

References

[1] Lal, R. (2020). Soil Carbon Management: Global Perspectives. CRC Press. [2] Hasanuzzaman, M., & Biswas, J. C. (2023). Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation. Springer. [3] Lal, R., & Six, J. (2021). Conservation agriculture for soil health and carbon sequestration. Soil and Tillage Research, 209, 104966. [4] Nair, P. K. R., & Kumar, B. M. (2022). Agroforestry for soil conservation and climate resilience. Agroforestry Systems, 96(5), 789–805.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Nakul Shenode, Dilip Budhlani, Sachin Sadavarte. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.