**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the government's response to Unstarred Question No. 2687 regarding the "Sem" problem (soil salinity) in Rajasthan, to be answered on December 16th, 2025. The ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) conducted a study revealing the extent and causes of soil salinization. The government is aware of the impact on farmers in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh, and has taken and plans to take short-term and long-term measures to address the issue.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Extent of Soil Salinity:**
* Approximately 1,95,571 hectares in Rajasthan are affected by soil salinity.
* Nearly 5,397 hectares in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts are affected by Sem.
* **Causes of Soil Salinity:**
* Impeded drainage.
* Excessive irrigation.
* Resultant rise in groundwater table leading to salt accumulation on the soil surface.
* **Short-Term Measures Suggested by ICAR:**
* Assessing soil conditions to locate waterlogged and salt-affected areas.
* Improving drainage to remove excess water.
* Managing irrigation efficiently to reduce salinity buildup.
* Using mixed water sources to limit crop stress.
* Promoting salt-tolerant crop varieties.
* **Long-Term Measures Suggested by ICAR:**
* Installing subsurface drainage systems for long-term reclamation.
* Using bio-drainage through deep-rooted, high-transpiration tree species.
* Adopting agroforestry models with salt-tolerant tree species.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* ICAR promotes measures/technologies through training, demonstrations, campaigns.
* Soil Health & Fertility Scheme implemented since 2014-15 provides Soil Health Cards (SHCs) for improving soil fertility in Sem-affected areas.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh**
* **Impact**
* Swamping and degradation of productive agricultural land, affecting livelihoods.
* **Action Required**
* Implement suggested short-term and long-term measures, including drainage improvement, irrigation management, and use of salt-tolerant crop varieties and tree species.
* Utilize the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme and the Soil Health Cards to improve soil fertility and productivity.
**Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI)**
* **Impact**
* Responsible for assessing soil salinization and suggesting mitigation measures.
* **Action Required**
* Continue promoting measures/technologies through training, demonstrations, and campaigns.
**Government**
* **Impact**
* Responsible for taking measures to address the issue and preserve agricultural land.
* **Action Required**
* Continue implementing the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme and promoting measures to improve soil fertility in Sem-affected areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Rajasthan: State in India where the Sem (soil salinity) problem is being studied and addressed.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI): Institution responsible for conducting the study on soil salinization (Sem problem) in Rajasthan and suggesting remedial measures.
Soil Health & Fertility Scheme: A scheme being implemented to provide Soil Health Cards and improve soil fertility, including in Sem-affected areas.
Sem: The problem of soil salinity or waterlogging affecting agricultural land, especially in districts of Rajasthan.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2687
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2025
SCIENTIFIC STUDY ON THE PROBLEM OF SEM IN RAJASTHAN
2687. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान कल्याण
मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted any scientific study or survey to find the source
and extent of Sem problem in the State of Rajasthan, if so, the details and key findings thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that the problem of Sem is continuously increasing in
Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan rendering thousands of hectares of
fertile land swampy and barren and the livelihood of farmers is being affected;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the short-term and long-term measures taken/being taken so far by the Government to
address this issue and preserve agricultural land; and
(e) the details of the schemes proposed to be implemented by the Government in future?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)
(a): Yes. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Soil Salinity Research
Institute (CSSRI) has carried out a comprehensive assessment of soil salinization in the state.
The study revealed that approximately 1,95,571 hectares in Rajasthan are affected by soil
salinity (Sem problem). The key findings indicate that the occurrence of Sem is primarily due to
impeded drainage, excessive irrigation, and the consequent rise in groundwater table, which
leads to the upward movement and accumulation of salts on the soil surface.
1(b) & (c): Yes, the Government is aware that the problem of Sem in the Sri Ganganagar and
Hunamangarh districts of Rajasthan. This resulted in the swamping and degradation of
productive agricultural land, thereby impacting the livelihood of farmers in these districts. The
assessment by ICAR indicated that nearly 5,397 hectares in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh
districts are affected by Sem.
(d) & (e): ICAR suggests short-term and long-term measures to address this issue and
preserve agricultural land.
The short-term measures include assessing soil conditions to locate waterlogged and salt-
affected areas, improving drainage to remove excess water, managing irrigation efficiently to
reduce salinity buildup, using mixed water sources to limit crop stress, and promoting salt-
tolerant crop varieties to sustain agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods.
The long-term suggested technologies include installing subsurface drainage systems for
long-term reclamation, using bio-drainage through deep-rooted and high-transpiration tree
species to naturally lower groundwater levels, and adopting agroforestry models with salt-
tolerant tree species to rehabilitate soils, enhance ecosystem services, and provide diversified
income.
ICAR promotes these measures/technologies through trainings, demonstrations,
campaign etc. Soil Health & Fertility Scheme is being implemented since 2014-15 to provide Soil
Health Cards (SHCs) for all farm holdings for improving productivity & soil fertility including Sem
affected areas.
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