Syllabus: GS-III: Environment Conservation

Why in the News?

Recently, researchers at the Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) successfully grew wheat on desert land in Banseli village, Ajmer district, using a bioformulation-powered soilification technology. This pioneering experiment—growing wheat in the harsh ecology of the Thar Desert—demonstrated how arid sand can be modified into soil capable of sustaining crops. The technology could help arrest desertification that threatens to push the Thar Desert towards the National Capital Region (NCR), triggered by deforestation of the Aravalis, changing rainfall patterns, and land degradation.

About Soilification Technology

• Concept: Soilification is the process of modifying desert sand into a soil-like structure capable of retaining water, nutrients, and supporting crop growth.
• Method: Researchers used an indigenous bioformulation (polymer-based) to:
  • Enhance water retention in sandy soils.
  • Promote cross-linking of sand particles to improve soil structure.
  • Stimulate beneficial microbial activity, boosting stress resistance in crops.
• Comparison: Unlike traditional desert greening attempts (such as afforestation drives), soilification directly transforms sandy terrain into cultivable farmland.
  

About the Field Trial in Rajasthan

• Initial lab trials: Conducted with bajra, guar gum, and chickpea using three bioformulations.
• Pilot wheat experiment (2024–25):
  • Location: Banseli village near Pushkar, Ajmer.
  • Variety: Wheat-4079 (indigenous).
  • Scale: 13 kg of seeds on 1,000 sq. m desert land.
  • Outcome:
    • Yield: 26 kg per 100 sq. m.
    • Seed-to-harvest ratio: 1:20 (double that of arid zone control).
    • Water requirement: Only 3 irrigations (vs 5–6 in normal wheat farming).
• Second-phase trials: Conducted on a 400 sq. ft experimental field with sand from Jaisalmer; yield improved by 54% in bioformulation-treated soil.
• Partnerships: The project was supported by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Rajasthan’s Horticulture Department, facilitating field-level trials.
  

Implications of Soilification Technology

• Agricultural Expansion in Arid Regions: Unlocks vast areas of desert land for cultivation, potentially transforming food security in dry states.
• Water Efficiency: Reduces irrigation cycles, a critical advantage in water-stressed regions like Rajasthan.
• Combating Desertification: Helps curb the spread of the Thar Desert, which threatens fertile zones including NCR.
• Socio-economic Impact: Provides livelihood opportunities for farmers in semi-arid regions by making barren land productive.
• Climate Adaptation: Enhances resilience against erratic rainfall and rising temperatures caused by climate change.
• Biodiversity Revival: Potentially restores soil microflora and fauna in degraded landscapes.
  

Way Forward

• Scaling up trials: Extend experiments to other crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds across desert and semi-arid regions.
  
• Integration with National Missions: Align soilification with the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and Desertification & Land Degradation Neutrality targets (2030).
• Cost & Policy Support: Provide subsidies and training for farmers to adopt bioformulations at scale.
• Private–Public Partnerships: Encourage agri-tech startups and industries to invest in soilification R&D and commercialization.
• Global Collaboration: Share technology with other desert-prone regions (e.g., Middle East, Africa) for climate diplomacy.
  

Conclusion

Soilification technology represents a breakthrough in applied science, showing how biotechnology can address desertification, food insecurity, and water scarcity simultaneously. By transforming sandy wastelands into fertile farms, it can reshape agriculture in arid India and beyond. With policy backing, farmer training, and scaled deployment, soilification could become a game-changer in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. “Soilification technology has the potential to revolutionize agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions of India. Discuss its implications for food security, water management, and climate resilience.”

The Hindu