Innovative Soil Health Monitoring Method Developed by ICRISAT

Introduction

Researchers at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have achieved a significant breakthrough in soil health monitoring by developing a scalable, low-cost method to assess soil degradation. This method combines proximal and satellite-based diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), offering a transformative approach to tackling soil degradation in semi-arid regions. The study, published by the British Society of Soil Science, aligns closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on zero hunger (SDG 2), climate action (SDG 13), and life on land (SDG 15).

Methodology and Key Findings

The research, titled “Assessing Soil Degradation in Agricultural Landscapes of Semi-Arid Tropics Using Proximal and Remote Sensing-Based Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy,” introduces a faster, non-destructive alternative to traditional laboratory soil testing. Key highlights include:

1. Reduction in assessment time from weeks to minutes without compromising accuracy.
2. Estimation of a Soil Degradation Index (SDI) by analyzing organic carbon, nutrient availability, and soil erodibility.
3. Integration of laboratory-based spectroscopy with Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to map soil degradation in Maharashtra, India.

Performance metrics demonstrated:

• Laboratory DRS predictive accuracy: R² = 0.81
• Satellite-based DRS predictive accuracy: R² = 0.52

This dual-approach model confirms both reliability and scalability for large-scale soil health monitoring.

Implications for Sustainable Agriculture and SDGs

The study provides actionable insights that support sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to multiple SDGs:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Findings show irrigated crops in degraded soils exhibit better resilience and yield than rainfed crops, suggesting targeted irrigation as a key adaptation strategy.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The method supports climate-smart agriculture by enabling rapid, cost-effective soil degradation assessment, helping farmers adapt to climate stress.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): By monitoring soil health and degradation hotspots at 10-meter resolution, the approach facilitates soil restoration and sustainable land management.

Expert Perspectives

• Dr. Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General–Research and Innovation at ICRISAT: Emphasized the alignment of this innovation with the Global South’s need for climate-smart tools that bridge laboratory research and field application.
• Dr. Rebbie Harawa, Global Research Program Director–Resilient Farm and Food Systems: Highlighted the democratization of soil health knowledge to embed resilience in vulnerable food systems and policy decisions.
• Dr. Kaushal K. Garg, Principal Scientist in Natural Resource Management: Described the approach as precision agriculture tailored for smallholders, leveraging freely available satellite data to enable high-resolution degradation monitoring in low-resource contexts.
• Dr. Israr Majeed, Lead Author: Indicated plans to expand the model using hyperspectral remote sensing for continuous soil health monitoring under crop cover, enhancing the technology’s utility across seasons and land types.

Conclusion

ICRISAT’s breakthrough in soil degradation assessment represents a critical advancement toward sustainable and resilient farming systems in semi-arid tropics. By enabling rapid, accurate, and accessible soil health monitoring, this innovation supports global efforts to combat land degradation, improve food security, and promote climate resilience in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article focuses on improving soil health and agricultural productivity in semi-arid regions, which directly supports food security and sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The development of climate-smart tools and adaptation strategies such as targeted irrigation addresses climate resilience in vulnerable farming systems.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Soil degradation monitoring and restoration efforts contribute to sustainable land management and combating desertification.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The innovative use of proximal and satellite-based diffuse reflectance spectroscopy represents technological advancement in agriculture.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including agriculture.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Soil Degradation Index (SDI)
   • Used to quantify soil degradation by analyzing organic carbon, nutrient availability, and erodibility.
   • Provides a measurable indicator to track soil health improvements or degradation over time.
2. Predictive Accuracy (R² values)
   • Laboratory DRS accuracy (R² = 0.81) and satellite-based DRS accuracy (R² = 0.52) indicate reliability of the assessment methods.
3. Crop Yield and Resilience
   • Performance differences between irrigated and rainfed crops in degraded areas serve as an indicator of adaptation success and agricultural productivity.
4. Spatial Resolution of Degradation Mapping
   • 10-meter resolution mapping of degradation hotspots allows precise monitoring and targeted interventions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: agrospectrumindia.com