| Sanction Date: | 20.03.2025 | |||
| Project Category | MG | |||
| Year | 2024-2025 | |||
| Project Duration | 3 Years | |||
| BTA : | HW | |||
| Project Site/ State/ Districts/ Villages Covered: |
Sikkim State: Pakyong, Namchi, Soreng, Gyalshing district |
|||
| Organization/ Implementation Agency: | CAEPHT, Central Agricultural University, Imphal | |||
| Project Partners: | S.No. | Name | ||
| 1. | Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Deorali, Gangtok | |||
| Lead Proponent: | Dr. Ghanashyam Singh Yurembam |
|||
| Project Brief Description: | The pervasive presence of microplastics in agricultural soils raises concerns about their potential effects on soil properties and functions, which are critical for sustainable agricultural practices and food security. The assessment of the impacts of microplastic pollution derived from agricultural lands and ecosystems holds considerable significance, given the widespread nature of microplastics and their possible negative effects on soil stability, agricultural productivity, and the holistic operation of ecosystems. Water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial communities are all impacted by microplastics, which can change the qualities of soil that are crucial to preserving its fertility and health. It can alter the hydrodynamics and soil structure, which can lower plant performance and biodiversity, according to studies (Machado et al., 2019; Lozano et al., 2021). Microplastics can upset the natural equilibrium of soil microbiomes in agricultural soils, which could reduce microbial diversity and function and are essential for the breakdown of organic matter and nutrient cycling (Kublik et al., 2022). This disturbance may worsen the effects of additional environmental stresses, including drought, impairing ecosystem processes even more (Lozano et al., 2021). It has been also reported that some microplastic kinds cause crops to grow more slowly and with chlorosis, which lowers agricultural production (Machado et al., 2019; Ikhajiagbe et al., 2023). Beyond the immediate effects on crop health, microplastic contamination in agricultural systems may have long-term effects on food security and safety by changing how plants absorb nutrients and toxins (Wu, 2024). The ecological hazards linked to microplastics are exacerbated by their capacity to engage with additional pollutants and to promote the conveyance of deleterious substances through terrestrial and aquatic systems (Kudzin, 2023). Such interactions may result in bioaccumulation within the trophic levels, thereby presenting threats not only to edaphic organisms but also to higher trophic levels, inclusive of humans (Anbumani & Kakkar, 2018). Due to their ability to affect carbon cycle and the release of methane and carbon dioxide from soils, microplastics are becoming an increasingly serious concern when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change (Li et al., 2022; Khan, 2024). Microplastics are increasingly recognized as a significant environmental pollutant, with global plastic production having continuously risen since the 1960s and reaching 370 million tonnes in 2019 (Lwanga et al., 2022). This growing prevalence of plastic pollution underscores the importance of understanding the occurrence, distribution, and potential impacts of microplastics in agricultural lands and associated ecosystems. Given the complexity and multifaceted nature of microplastic pollution, a holistic evaluation approach is essential for assessing the sources, transport mechanisms, and ecological impacts of microplastics in agricultural contexts. This research may inform and suggest effective management strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution in agricultural ecosystems, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation. | |||
| Beneficiaries/ Stakeholders: |
• Farmers and Agricultural Communities |
|||
| Activity Chart | ||||
| Total Grants (in Rs.) | Rs. 10,300,000/-(Rupees One Crore Three Lakh Only) | |||
| Project Objectives | Quantifiable Deliverables | Monitoring Indicators |
|
• To evaluate the microplastic contamination of agricultural soil of Sikkim State. • To study the spatial distribution, size, abundance, and pollution characteristics of microplastics in soils used for agriculture. • To Model and assess risks associated with microplastic pollution in agricultural ecosystems. • To develop a suitable ecofriendly agro-environment mitigation strategy for sustainable agriculture. |
• Microplastic concentration analysis in different soil types. • Report on soil physicochemical alterations due to microplastics. • Guidelines for farmers on reducing contamination. • Policy-oriented report on the environmental and agronomic risks of microplastic contamination. • Best practices document for plastic waste management in agriculture. • Awareness campaigns for local farmers and policymakers. |
• No. of soil samples analyzed. • Risk score metrics for microplastic-affected soils. • Microplastic types and sizes categorized. • No. of policy recommendations generated. • No. of stakeholders trained. • No. of research papers, technical reports, and policy documents published. |
| S.No. | Name (Sanctioned) | Salary (Sanctioned) |
| 1. | 01 Research Associate I | @ Rs.67,000/- + 8% HRA |
| 2. | 01 SPF | @ Rs.28,000/- + 8% HRA |
| S.No. | Name of Equipment (Sanctioned) | Cost (in INR) |
| 1. | 01 Desktop/laptop (Intel Core i9, HDD 1 TB, Ram 64 GB, 17”, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050) with computer accessories @240000/-, Arc GIS @1500000/-, 02 GPS @60000/-, 01 Drone with camera @1050000/-, 04 Soil Sensors @20000/-, 01 Projector @40000/-, 01 Printer @40000/-, 01 Microscope Leica wild M3C @100000/-, and 01 Camera Leica DFC 425 @50000/-. | 3,160,000 |
