State of natural resources in the Indo-Gangetic plains for sustainable crop production

The Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) showed tremendous growth in rice and wheat production over the last 40 years. However, the continued increase in population and non-judicious use of the natural resources put extreme stress on the soil and water resources of the region. The signs of gradual setting of environmental degradation and climate change are becoming visible throughout the IGP. The ground water in the upper IGP is over-exploited and the water table is declining at an alarming rate. The other side of the problem is the water-logging and flooding in some areas because of lack of infra-structure for water storage and management. In most of the region soil organic C content have declined over time. There is also a decline in nutrient use efficiency because of unbalanced use of nutrients and micronutrient deficiencies. However, a few recent studies showed that in the IGP, there is an increase in SOC stock in the last 2 decades. Another concern is increase in salinity in the upper parts of the IGP. Development of soil acidity and problem of arsenic are also serious problems, particularly in the lower IGP. The region is a major source of methane because of large area under rice. Use of N fertilizer is also quite large, contributing substantially towards nitrous oxide emission. The research should be reoriented to develop strategies for efficient soil and water management by integrating all available technologies and promoting them to farmers.