IMPLEMENTATION OF SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

IMPLEMENTATION OF SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme, launched by the Government of India, has significantly contributed to enhancing soil fertility and agricultural productivity across the country. This initiative aims to provide farmers with detailed information about the nutrient status of their soil, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding fertilizer application and crop management.

Through regular soil testing and the issuance of health cards, farmers receive tailored recommendations that promote sustainable agricultural practices. As a result, many farmers have reported substantial increases in crop yields, with studies indicating improvements of up to 30% in key crops such as wheat and paddy.

The SHC Scheme not only boosts productivity but also fosters ecological balance and long-term soil health. By encouraging the use of organic fertilizers and balanced nutrient management, it supports the overall goal of sustainable agriculture. As the scheme continues to evolve, its impact on food security and farmer livelihoods remains a vital aspect of India’s agricultural landscape.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 166
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th MARCH, 2025

IMPLEMENTATION OF SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

Dr. RAJESH MISHRA
SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the manner in which the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme has improved soil fertility and agricultural productivity over the last decade;

(b) the manner in which the programme has impacted the pattern of fertilizer usage by farmers and reduced the dependence of farmers on chemical fertilizers;

(c) the various new measures or reforms being incorporated in the scheme for the next phase of the said SHC scheme;

(d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that farmers understand the recommendations given in the SHC and use them effectively;

(e) the details and number of such SHC cards issued in Lok Sabha Constituency of Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh and Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh along with Rajasthan including Bhilwara during the last three years; and

(f) the details of reforms undertaken in agricultural productivity year and District-wise?

ANSWER

(a) & (b): Soil Health & Fertility Scheme assists states in promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients, in conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. Soil samples are processed following standard procedures and analyzed for various parameters viz, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur and micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese & Boron). Soil Health Card (SHC) provides information to farmers on soil nutrient status (low, medium & high) and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health to increase agricultural production.

An impact study of Soil Health & Fertility scheme (November 2017) was conducted by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad. The major findings indicate that there is reduction in fertilizer use, especially Nitrogen and increase in bio-fertilizers and other micro-nutrients use. Overall, paddy farmers reduced use of urea by 9%, Di Ammonium Phosphate / Single Super Phosphate by 7% but increased use of Potassium by 20%. Balanced use of fertilizers is gaining ground as per the findings.

National Productivity Council carried out a study on ‘Soil Testing Infrastructure for Faster Delivery of Soil Health Card in India’ in 2017. The study found that application of fertilizer and micronutrients based on SHC recommendations resulted in 8-10% of savings and overall increase in the yield of crops to the tune of 5-6%.

(c): The various reforms incorporated in Soil Health & Fertility Scheme are as follows: –

i. In order to make the scheme farmer-friendly, the Soil Health Card portal has been revamped with the following features:

• Introduction of a mobile application for soil sample collection capturing geo coordinates of farmers field.
• Real time information on soil sample collection, testing and generation of SHC.
• Farmers can download SHCs from the portal by entering registered mobile number.
• Introduction of fertilizer management, nutrient dashboard, heat maps of nutrients on the portal to guide the policymakers
• Introduction of QR code enabled sample collection
• Onboarding of all Soil Testing Labs on the SHC Portal.

ii. Citizen Charter has been introduced to deliver SHC.

iii. The School Soil Health Program has been rolled out to involve school students.

iv. Soil testing and advisory is compulsorily included in the field internship of Undergraduate, Post-graduate and Diploma students of Agricultural University and Rural Agricultural Work Experience programme (RAWE) Internship.

(d): Under Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, around 7 Lakh demonstrations, 93,781 farmer’s training programmes and 7,425 farmer’s mela have been organized on the balanced use of fertilizers to improve soil quality. Advisories are issued to farmers through Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). In addition, 70,002 Krishi Sakhis are trained to support farmers in understanding SHCs among other issues.

(e): The details and number of such SHC cards issued in Lok Sabha Constituency of Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh and Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh along with Rajasthan including Bhilwara during the last three years (2022-23, 2023-24 & 2024-25) are as under:

(f): SHC is an important reform initiative undertaken in agricultural productivity. Rs.1721 crore funds under this scheme have been released and 24.84 crore SHCs have been issued to farmers in various districts. The district wise details are available at SHC portal https://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in/home.

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