Distribution of Soil Health Cards (SHC)

Soil Health Card Scheme has been taken up for the first time in a comprehensive manner across the country. It is provided to all farmers.

Objective:

It is to enable the farmers to apply appropriate recommended dosages of nutrients for crop production and improving soil health and its fertility.

Features:

• Collecting soil samples at a grid of 2.5 ha in irrigated area and 10 ha in un-irrigated areas.
• Uniform approach in soil testing adopted for 12 parameters primary nutrients (NPK), secondary nutrient (S); micronutrients (B, Zn, Mn. Fe & Cu); and other (pH, EC & OC) for comprehensiveness.
• GPS enabled soil sampling to create a systematic database and allow monitoring of changes in the soil health over the years.

Behind the scene:

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) will be implemented during 12^th Plan to make agriculture more productive, sustainable and climate resilient; to conserve natural resources; to adopt comprehensive soil health management practices; to optimize utilization of water resources; etc.

Soil Health Management (SHM) is one of the most significant interventions under NMSA.

Aims of SHM:

• To promote Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients in conjunction with organic manures and bio-fertilisers for improving soil health and its productivity;
• To strengthen soil and fertilizer testing facilities to give soil test based recommendations to farmers for improving soil fertility;
• To ensure quality control requirements of fertilizers, bio-fertilizers under Fertiliser Control Order, 1985;
• To upgrade skill and knowledge of soil testing laboratory staff, extension staff and farmers through training and demonstrations;
• To promote organic farming practices, etc.

Source: PIB