Pilot projects on reclamation of Saline & Alkaline soils through rain water management with watershed/landscape approach in Punjab & Haryana
Indiscriminate use of agri-inputs, especially water and fertilizer, during post-Green Revolution has resulted in severe land degradation leading to formation of saline and alkaline soils in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, which contribute substantially to food production in the country.
In order to demonstrate long term sustainability of saline and alkaline soil through participatory approach, pilot projects on reclamation of saline and alkaline soils through rain water management with watershed/landscape approach are being implemented in Punjab and Haryana covering an area of 3000 ha (2000 ha for reclamation of alkaline soils and 1000 ha for reclamation of saline soils) with financial outlay of Rs. 20.38 crore. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal has been engaged as technical partner in the implementation of the programme. MoU in this regard was executed with the agency (CSSRI, Karnal) in December 2019. Presently, Project Sanction, Review and Monitoring Committee (PSRMC) has been constituted in both the states. Identification of project areas and NGOs, community mobilisation, capacity building, etc., are in progress.
Extension of KfW soil projects to Kerala and Jharkhand under SEWOH II
Based on the experience of SEWOH Phase-I and to propagate the model in the high rainfall areas, the programme (KfW Soil Project) has been extended to Kerala (43 projects) and Jharkhand (12 projects) to address issues of soil and water conversation, land reclamation, improving soil productivity and health, enhancing crop resilience to climate change, enhancing opportunities for livelihood and income generation for communities vulnerable to climate change, etc. The programme is being implemented from 2019-20 to Dec 2022 with financial support of € 5 million (₹35 crore) from KfW.