Experts have repeatedly warned that, with the rapid degradation of soil our food security is under threat. They have also pointed out that the crisis can be tackled through a series of ecological interventions, of which biomass generation and its use is the most critical. In this context, we need to understand the existing dynamics of biomass availability and its usage at the farm level.

At present, different sectors compete for whatever biomass is available. Green biomass is needed as fodder for cattle, cow dung cakes, pressed leaf litter etc. are used as cooking fuel in certain regions. Biomass is also used for decentralised energy production systems and for soil health improvement as well.

There are certain constraints related to labour and water availability. In addition, we need to also consider existing Government programmes, incentives and institutional support and come out with a new and effective strategy to make biomass-based soil health management a reality. This strategy is vital to prevent an imminent food crisis. It assumes even more relevance as the fossil-based soil nutrition practices are fast becoming unsustainable and unaffordable.

After decades of neglect, the Union Government is now recognising and accepting the importance of having a focussed and comprehensive policy to promote ecological and organic manuring to rejuvenate degrading soils and maintain soil health. The 12th Plan Approach Paper, prepared by the Planning Commission, cleared by the Union Cabinet in September and awaiting final approval from the National Development Council, has highlighted the importance of ‘ecological/organic fertilisation’ practices in tackling the soil health crisis. The paper calls for the rejuvenation of soils and the restoration of soil health through addition of organic matter in bulk quantities in the soil, along with the promotion of other agro-ecological interventions.

While this acceptance is a welcome move from the Planning Commission, the challenge is to ensure that effective policies, institutions and sufficient investments are made in the 12th plan to make ecological/organic manuring a reality.

The recent national workshop on Biomass Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture organised by Greenpeace India and attended by a panel of scientists, agriculturalists and bureaucrats at the India International Centre, New Delhi, discussed in detail the existing dynamics of biomass availability and usage at the grassroots level and the need to have in place a proactive strategy to synergise with various sectors.

The workshop discussed the need for an institutional mechanism driven by a State-level agency to manage biomass and ecological fertilisation. The institutional mechanism needs to bring together Government departments concerned, flagship Government programmes, research institutions and civil society to deliver the strategy. At the grassroots, it should operate through a federation of civil groups, who will research as well as implement the programmes at the ground level.

The workshop discussed in detail the importance of a farming system approach integrated with livestock, trees, crop rotations etc as a vital strategy for biomass generation on farm. It explored various options of recycling crop residues, weeds and bringing urban waste back to the fields. The common pool resources including those classified as waste lands will also play a critical role in the biomass strategy.

Constraints related to labour costs need to be tackled by integrating the biomass strategy with other flagship schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and finding synergies with them.

Now, the Government support systems and incentive mechanism are highly skewed towards chemical fertilisation paradigm. The Government spends roughly Rs 60,000 crore a year in subsidising chemical fertilisers. According to the Draft Approach Paper for the 12th Five-Year Plan, Rs 61,264 crore was spent in 2009-10 while the budgeted subsidy for 2010-2011 is Rs 58,000 crore. On the other hand, the support for organic fertilisation is scattered and miniscule.

One must also note that the chemical fertiliser-based soil nutrition practices are unsustainable. The production of chemical fertilisers is highly dependent on fossil fuels, and so, any fluctuations in the fossil fuel prices can have serious implications on the agricultural sector. Moreover, nitrogen fertiliser production and its usage in fields can lead to the emission of highly potent greenhouse gases and hence can contribute to climate change.

There is also a growing consensus on the reality of peak phosphorus, another nutrient used in agriculture, running out of stock. Phosphate rock is a non-renewable resource and is fast getting used up. The situation also points to the need for a comprehensive biomass strategy which will help in developing alternative ways and means of plant nutrients.

The experts, practitioners and farmers in one voice endorsed the need for an institutional mechanism with sufficient investments to be initiated during the 12th Plan period to effectively implement ecological fertilisation. The gathering also endorsed the need for an incentive mechanism to make farmers use the eco-system services and soil-health enhancement measures.

The ideas generated in the workshop have been shared with the Planning Commission, which is expected to factor them in the panel’s deliberations with the States as a run-up to the finalisation of the 12th Plan.