Salinity Research in India - Achievements, Challenges and Future Prospects

Salinity is one of the major constraints in sustainable food production in many parts of the world. In a changing global scenario characterized by extreme climate variability, land and water degradation, biodiversity loss and trade regulations, the food and nutritional security of a burgeoning population is a cause for concern to the researchers and policy makers. As day-to-day increasing competition for productive lands and fresh water resources coupled with pervasive land use are pushing agriculture to the marginal environments, ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity and remunerative returns to the growers remain the major challenges. Since its establishment, ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal has made significant contributions in harnessing the productivity of salt-affected soils and waters. In spite of credible achievements in the reclamation and management of saline and sodic soils for crop production, different soil, climatic, anthropogenic and policy constraints continue to hinder the productive utilization of vast saline tracts lying in arid, semi-arid and coastal regions of the country. After reviewing the current global trends, we proceed to scrutinize our strengths and weaknesses in salinity management in agriculture with a view to present a plausible future course of action while taking into account the present and emerging challenges.