OREANDA-NEWS. As per the latest report on Land Use Statistics for 2011-12 compiled by Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, out of total Geographical Area of 3287.3 lakh hectares in the country, 1467.5 lakh hectares is non-agricultural land/ area. Area under non-agricultural land consists of forests, area under non-agricultural uses, Barren and un-culturable land, permanent pastures and other grazing land.

The reclamation of area under Non-Agricultural Land is generally not viable due to ecological and cost considerations. However, to improve fertility of soils in the country, the Government under the component of Soil Health Management of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is promoting soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through setting up/strengthening of soil testing laboratories, establishment of bio-fertilizer and compost units, use of micronutrients, trainings and demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers etc. Recently, a National Mission on Soil Health Card has been launched to provide soil tested based fertilizer recommendation to all the farmers in the country. Further, Ministry of Rural Development is implementing an Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) for development of rainfed/degraded areas.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture Sh.Mohanbhai Kundaria in Rajya Sabha today.