Soil tests data of last five years have revealed there is 49 per cent shortage of zink while deficiency of sulphur is 41 per cent, boron (33 per cent) and iron (12 per cent).
The main reason for multi-nutrient deficiencies is imbalanced use of fertilisers and insufficient quantity of manures available to implement integrated nutrient management (INM) over the larger areas, Minister of State for Agriculture Harish Rawat informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
Compilation of data on soil tests from different soil testing laboratories in various states was done by the Institute of Soil Science.
As part of remedial measures, Rawat said the government is promoting soil test based and judicious use of chemical fertilisers in conjunction with organic manures like Farm Yard Manure, compost, vermi compost and green manure to maintain soil health and its productivity.
Besides, National project on management of soil health & fertility (NPMSH&F) has been launched during 2008-09 under which there is provision to set up/strengthen soil testing laboratories, training & demonstrations on balanced use of fertilisers and promotion of INM by promoting use of organic manures, soil amendments and micronutrients, he added.