India’s biogeochemical capacity to attain food security and remediate climate

Ishfaq Ahmad Mir, Thomas J.F. Goreau, Joanna Campe, James Jerden

Abstract

In order to supply wholesome food and slow down climate change, this paper covers India’s agrogeological resources. The soils are the result of the weathering of rocks with ages ranging from more than a billion years to the most recent Holocene. Because they are severely deficient in vital minerals, many soils have low agricultural production. In addition to helping to fertilise soils, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and stop the acidification of the Indian Ocean, rock powder weathering and bio-char have significant positive effects on the productivity of Indian soils. The nutrient density of food is also increased which improves health and lowers the demand for and cost of medical treatment. Remineralization may help to solve Indian soil issues including soil infertility and texture. To improve soil and plant nutrition, dusts of carbonate, basic, and ultraba-sic rocks are readily available at mining sites in India combined with biochar. Adding different grain sizes to the soil helps improve the texture of the soil.Silicate and carbonate rock powders enhance soil structure by promoting the creation of soil organic matter and fostering the growth of advantageous microbial com-munities. These processes offer a low-cost method of remineralizing soils with important macro- and micronutrients. For each significant soil/crop/climate system, an optimised application of India’s rock pow-der resources must be determined through a national research and development programme. India’s capacity to adapt to the mounting challenges of population expansion and climate change would be significantly improved by the findings of this study programme.