EcoLime+: Turning Industrial Waste into a Green Solution for Odisha's Acidic Soils, When Healthy Soil Becomes the Biggest Challenge

Abstract

Soil acidity is one of the most serious challenges limiting agricultural productivity in Odisha, affecting nearly 70% of the state’s cultivated land. Acidic soils reduce nutrient availability, lower fertiliser-use efficiency and ultimately decrease crop yields, making farming less profitable for millions of small and marginal farmers. At the same time, Odisha’s steel and thermal power industries generate enormous quantities of basic slag and fly ash, much of which remains underutilised despite being rich in valuable plant nutrients. Recognising this opportunity, the team of ICAR–Central Rice Research Institute (ICAR-CRRI), Cuttack, developed EcoLime+, an innovative soil amendment prepared by blending basic slag, fly ash and compost. The technology transforms industrial by-products into a valuable agricultural resource, offering a practical “waste-to-wealth” solution for managing acidic soils. Field demonstrations conducted under the SAFAR Project, supported by the Government of Odisha, across more than 1,000 hectares in six districts demonstrated that EcoLime+ not only improved soil health but also enhanced crop productivity. Rice yields increased by 8–17%, green gram yields by 12–19%, soil pH improved by 2–10%, and available phosphorus increased by nearly 15%. Improved phosphorus availability also created the potential to reduce DAP fertiliser consumption by 10–15%, lowering input costs for farmers. EcoLime+ represents an indigenous, climate-smart and environmentally sustainable technology with immense potential to strengthen sustainable agriculture across Odisha and other acid-soil regions of India.