Nagpur: National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), headquartered in Nagpur and functioning under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has developed India’s first soil texture map, providing detailed information on the characteristics of soil across every hectare of the country.The map, released on July 16, comes a year after the bureau developed India’s first soil depth map. NBSS&LUP director NG Patil told TOI that the soil texture map was prepared using extensive field studies, remote sensing, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence.The data could help farmers scientifically determine which crops are best suited to specific plots instead of relying primarily on traditional practices, prevailing trends or individual estimates of crop performance.Patil said the significance of such mapping was greater in India because of the small size of individual farms and the considerable variation in soil characteristics over relatively short distances.The maps could also help identify suitable crops for different terrains. Patil added that the information could prove particularly useful for govt agencies in formulating region-specific agricultural policies, crop planning and land-use strategies. Detailed village-level data could help authorities identify areas better suited for particular crops and allocate agricultural resources more efficiently.The bureau’s next major project would focus on developing maps showing water retention and absorption capacity of soils. “This is particularly important for Maharashtra and southern India, where soil texture and depth have a major bearing on water retention,” he said.Golden Jubilee celebration on Aug 23NBSS&LUP will celebrate its Golden Jubilee Foundation Day on Aug 23, marking 50 years since it was accorded its present status in 1976.The event will commemorate the bureau’s contributions to soil survey, land resource assessment, soil and water conservation and sustainable land-use planning. ML Jat, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and director general, ICAR, will be the chief guest, while Dr AK Nayak, deputy director general (Natural Resource Management), ICAR, will preside.Former NBSS&LUP directors Dr SK Singh, Dr P Chandran and Dr BS Dwivedi will be felicitated. Several agricultural university vice-chancellors and senior ICAR officials will also attend the function.
