New Delhi, Aug 17 More than 25 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers (till July) to promote the balanced use of fertilisers and support better soil management across the country, according to the latest government data.
Further advancing its impact, the Soil and Land Use Survey of India has also carried out soil mapping on a large scale. Mapping has been completed at a 1:10,000 scale across nearly 290 lakh hectares, including land in 40 aspirational districts, the official data showed.
To guide farmers in using fertilisers wisely, 1,987 village-level soil fertility maps have been created for 21 states and Union Territories. These maps help farmers make better choices for their soil and crops.
The year 2015 was marked as the International Year of Soils. It was also when India launched its landmark Soil Health Card Scheme on February 19, aiming to assess the nutrient condition of every farm across the country.
The scheme was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. It supports state governments in providing farmers with detailed reports on soil health.
These cards offer recommendations on how to improve soil fertility and guide farmers to adopt sustainable practices. From the year 2022–23, the scheme has been included as a component under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and is now known as ‘Soil Health and Fertility’.
A Soil Health Card is a printed report given to farmers for each of their land holdings. It shows the condition of the soil by testing 12 key parameters, namely Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur (Macro-nutrients); Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Boron (Micro - nutrients); and pH (Acidity or Basicity), EC (Electrical Conductivity) and OC (Organic Carbon).
The scheme helps farmers understand what their soil needs through regular testing and provides guidance every 2 years. Each card gives farmers a clear picture of the nutrient status of their land. It also suggests the right amount of fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, organic inputs, and soil treatments to help them take better care of their soil over time.
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