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Humus 101: Why this organic matter is crucial

Rebuilding humus levels can help reverse India’s soil crisis

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February 18, 2025
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In India's agricultural heartlands, where farming sustains countless livelihoods, the soil's hidden key to prosperity lies in humus. This dark, organic material forms when plant and animal matter decomposes and undergoes complex biological transformations. While it may seem unremarkable at first, humus is the powerhouse of soil, the element that transforms it from mere dirt into a thriving ecosystem capable of nourishing crops, retaining water, and combating the challenges of climate variability. Its importance cannot be overstated — According to the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India experiences an annual soil loss rate of approximately 15.35 tonnes per hectare, resulting in a significant loss of about 8.4 million tonnes, especially as India battles declining soil fertility and diminishing agricultural yields with erratic weather patterns. 

What exactly is humus? 

Humus is not just decomposed matter—it is the end product of a long process of breakdown and stabilisation, resulting in a resilient, nutrient-rich substance. Unlike raw organic matter, which decomposes rapidly, humus is stable and has persisted in the soil for centuries. It is nutrient-rich in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, essential for healthy plant growth.

However, humus does more than simply feed crops—it fortifies the soil, creating a structure that supports life in its many forms. 

Also read: Why the ground beneath our feet matters

Fertility, hydration, thriving ecosystems

One of humus's greatest contributions to soil health is its ability to enhance fertility. It acts as a slow-release reservoir of essential nutrients, steadily feeding plants. This starkly contrasts chemical fertilisers, which provide quick but short-lived nutrition boosts and often degrade soil quality in the long run. Humus offers a sustainable alternative, reducing dependence on expensive inputs while improving the soil’s intrinsic productivity. This is particularly critical for Indian farmers trapped in a cycle of amping up fertiliser use to compensate for nutrient-depleted soils.  

Beyond its role as a nutrient bank, humus aids in water management. Its spongy texture allows it to absorb and retain large amounts of water, making it invaluable in regions prone to drought or erratic rainfall. Drought-prone regions like Maharashtra’s Marathwada and the north and central Indian province of Bundelkhand—where agriculture is predominantly rain-fed—stand to benefit immensely from soils rich in humus. By ensuring that water remains available to plant roots even during dry spells, humus supports crop growth and mitigates the impact of water scarcity on farming livelihoods.

Another often overlooked benefit of humus is its role in preventing soil erosion. In India, where unsustainable farming practices, deforestation, and overgrazing have led to the loss of billions of tonnes of topsoil annually, humus can make a significant difference. It binds soil particles together, improving soil structure and stability and preventing valuable topsoil from being washed or blown away. This is particularly crucial in a country where the loss of fertile soil directly threatens food security and agricultural sustainability.  

Also read: Do-nothing farming: The Masanobu Fukuoka story

Equally important is humus’s ability to foster life within the soil. Healthy soil is not inert; it is alive with microbes, fungi, and other organisms contributing to its fertility. Humus is a steady food source for these microorganisms, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits both soil and crops. Without this microbial activity, the soil becomes lifeless and incapable of supporting healthy plant growth. This interconnectedness further asserts how humus is the foundation for robust soil health.

Barriers to soil health

Despite its critical role, the Indian soil is in a humus crisis. Decades of intensive farming, monocropping, and an over-reliance on chemical fertilisers have depleted the organic matter content of Indian soils. Most Indian soils contain less than 1% organic matter, which is far below the ideal range of 3%-6%. The consequences are visible in falling crop yields, rising input costs, and soils increasingly unable to withstand climate shocks. Rebuilding humus levels is not just desirable; it is essential for the survival of Indian agriculture.

How to better integrate humus

The path forward requires a shift in farming practices. Incorporating crop residues, green manures, and compost into the soil can gradually replenish organic matter and restore humus levels. Natural farming methods, already gaining traction in states like Andhra Pradesh, emphasise these methods and offer a model for sustainable agriculture. Practices such as agroforestry and zero tillage further protect the soil, ensuring that humus can thrive.

Agroforestry enriches the soil by integrating trees and shrubs to prevent erosion and boost organic matter, while zero tillage minimises disturbance, retains moisture, and sustains vital microorganisms by avoiding ploughing.

Therefore, although these changes may seem daunting in the short term to farmers, the long-term benefits—increased productivity, lower input costs, and greater resilience to climate change—are undeniable.  

Humus is more than an agricultural tool; it is the essence of healthy soil. Its ability to nourish, protect, and sustain makes it indispensable in the fight for food security and climate resilience.

Also read: How one farmer purged toxic chemicals from his soil

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Written by
Rida Fathima

Rida is interested in exploring the intersections of climate, policy and food ecosystems. Now, she is keen on writing about how climate and food insecurity affect livelihoods

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