Soil health in Pakistan is falling fast. Experts say overuse of chemical fertilizers is one big reason.
At a seminar hosted by Sindh Agriculture University, local and foreign scientists warned of serious damage. They urged farmers to stop using harmful chemicals and shift to compost and natural fertilizers.
In the last month, floods have added to the problem. Fields got covered in sand and silt. Fertile topsoil got washed away. Water stayed on the land for too long. This killed useful microbes in the soil.
Dr. Babar Shahbaz from Faisalabad said farmers don’t test their soil before adding fertilizers. Many also burn leftover crops. This removes nutrients and kills good bacteria in the ground.
He said crops like wheat and rice drain the soil. Without rotation, the land loses balance.
Still, experts agree that damage is growing. Poor irrigation, salinity, waterlogging, and bad farming habits also hurt soil. In Sindh, over 2 million hectares now suffer from salt damage.
Pakistan loses up to 2% of its farm income every year due to soil degradation. That’s a major hit to the economy.
Experts say solutions exist. Use compost. Try crop rotation. Use less water. Switch to better irrigation tools.
