Haryana : Oilseeds and Gypsum Subsidy

Gypsum was first introduced as a heavily subsidised agricultural input for reclaiming alkaline soils. Over a period of time it began to be used as a source of cheap sulphur fertiliser in oilseeds cultivation. Gypsum use is among the important reasons for the phenomenal growth of oilseeds production in Haryana. How has this change in farmers' perception of gypsum from a chemical additive to a fertiliser come about? What is the impact of extensive gypsum use on soil productivity?