Impact of Large-Scale Sodic Soils Reclamation Projects in Uttar Pradesh: Key Insights for Policy Implications
215 / 88
Authors
-
Suresh Kumar
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001
-
Sanjay Arora
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Lucknow -226002
-
Rajkumar
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001
-
Ram Kishor Fagodiya
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001
-
Kailash Prajapat
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001
-
Rohtash Kumar
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001
-
Bhupender
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001
-
R. K. Yadav
ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001
Keywords:
Impact, Policy insights, Reclamation Projects, Sodic Soils and Uttar PradeshAbstract
Uttar Pradesh state in India is vital for national food security, requiring sustainable rehabilitation of sodic soils predominant in the state. The Uttar Pradesh Bhumi Sudhar Nigam (UPBSN) has led sodic land reclamation programme since 1993 with World Bank support. This study aims to: (a) analyse the project design; (b) assess the impact of the Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation Projects (UPSLRPs); and (c) summarize lessons learnt. The reclamation efforts significantly improved crop yields and agricultural productivity, while enhancing local villagers' awareness and skills in resource management. Grassroots institutions were crucial for executing activities that aimed at poverty alleviation through sodic soil reclamation. Over three project phases, activities improved soil health, provided quality inputs, and fostered collaborative resource management. The project also promoted crop diversification, gender equity, women's empowerment, and livestock productivity. Additionally, improved infrastructure and market access, led to better price realization of produce. A key insight was the importance of engaging local communities in land reclamation projects.
Downloads
References
Arora S and Singh BP (2020) Status of soil degradation in state of Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 19(2): 119-125.
Datta KK and Joshi PK (1993) Problems and prospects of co-operatives in managing degraded lands: case of saline and water-logged soils. Economic and Political Weekly, A16-A24.
Kuehnast K (2001) Learning from the past: India Uttar Pradesh sodic lands reclamation project. Social Development Note No. 56. Social Development Publications, World Bank, NW, Washington, DC, 04 pp.
Kumar S, Upadhay SK and Joshi D (2020) Sources of agricultural growth and its determinants: a regional analysis of Uttar Pradesh. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics 75(1): 74-89.
Mandal AK, Sharma RC, Singh G and Dagar JC (2010) Computerized Database on Salt Affected Soil in India. CSSRI Publ. No. 2/2010, Karnal, pp 15.
ESDMoAFW (2022) Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2022, Economics & Statistics Division, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
Nayak S (2006) Environmental degradation to land resources in Uttar Pradesh. Review of Development and Change 11(1): 60-84.
SIP (2022) Inter-state Comparative Statistics-2022, Economics and Statistics Division, State Planning Institute, Uttar Pradesh.
Tiwari KN, Kumar A and Pathak AN (1983) Characterisation of salt-affected soils in central alluvial region of Uttar Pradesh. Journal of the Indian society of soil science 31(2), 272-280.
Verma D, Yadav MS, Mathur A and Singh AN (2021) Mapping and monitoring sodic land reclamation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India using geo-information tools, global symposium on salt-affected soils, 20-22, October, 2021, accessed on: August, 2024, pp 3.
World Bank (2004) India - Uttar Pradesh sodic lands reclamation project (English). Washington, DC: World Bank Group, pp 14-15.
World Bank (2008a) ICR Review-UP Sodic Lands II, Report No. ICRR12907, pp 1.
World Bank (2008b) Implementation completion and results report (Report No: ICR0000653). Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation II Project, March 20, 2008, pp 43.
World Bank (2019) Implementation completion and results report (ICR00004665), Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation III Project, June 18, 2019, pp 35.
Yadav JSP (1993) Salt affected soils and their management with special reference to Uttar Pradesh. Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science 41(4): 623-629.
Yadav VK (2024) Genetic enhancement of rice for alkalinity-affected area of central Uttar Pradesh, India. In: Genetic Improvement of Rice for Salt Tolerance. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, pp 157-172.
Downloads
Submitted
Published
Issue
Section
License
Journal of Soil Salinity and Water Quality serves as an official organ of the Indian Society of Soil Salinity and Water Quality (ISSSWQ) for the publication of research papers, reviews, and short communications as per the constitution and by-laws of the society. Soft and hard copy of the journal are sent free to all its members. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Kamal only. The society does not assume any responsibility for opinion by the authors in the articles and no-material in any form can be reproduced without the prior permission of the society. The society is not responsible for any delay, whatsoever, in publication/ delivery of the periodicals to the subscribers due to unforeseen circumstances or postal delay. The society does not vouch for any claims made by the advertisers of products and services. The publisher and the editors shall not be held liable for any consequences in the event of such claim not being honoured by the advertisers.
