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Soil Health Card Scheme — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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Soil Health Card Scheme

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers WelfareactiveagricultureLaunched: 2015-02-19

About the Scheme

Soil Health Card Scheme provides soil health cards to farmers with crop-wise nutrient recommendations to improve soil health and reduce input costs. Phase I: 10.73 crore cards (2015-17). Phase II: 11.93 crore cards (2017-19). Phase III: shifting to mobile testing vans. Reduces fertilizer overuse and improves yield. Now integrated with PM Dhan-Dhaanya.

Target Beneficiaries: 14 crore farmers; 11.93 crore soil health cards distributed under Phase II

Implementing Agency: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) through State Agriculture Departments

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • Provides soil health cards with NPK (primary, secondary, micro) nutrient status
  • Crop-wise fertilizer and input recommendation on each card
  • 11.93 crore soil health cards distributed in Phase II (2017-19)
  • Mobile soil testing vans for doorstep testing in Phase III
  • Integrated with PM Fasal Bima Yojana and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
  • Digital Soil Health Card Portal for real-time tracking
  • Balances fertilizer use: reduces overuse of nitrogen, corrects micronutrient deficiencies

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • All farmers who own agricultural land in India.
  • Farmers registered with the respective State Agriculture Departments.
  • The scheme is applicable to all types of agricultural land, irrespective of landholding size.

★Benefits

  • Provides scientific recommendations for nutrient application based on soil test results, leading to balanced fertilization.
  • Helps in improving soil health and increasing agricultural productivity.
  • Reduces the input costs for farmers by preventing the overuse of fertilizers.
  • Contributes to enhanced crop yields and farm income.
  • Promotes sustainable agricultural practices and environmental protection.

▶Application Process

  • Farmers contact their local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or State Agriculture Department office.
  • Soil samples are collected from their agricultural fields as per established protocols.
  • Samples are tested at designated Soil Testing Laboratories for 12 key parameters.
  • Based on the test results, a Soil Health Card is generated with crop-wise fertilizer recommendations.
  • The Soil Health Card is then distributed to the farmers.

₹ Budget Allocation

568

UPSC Relevance

GS Paper: GS3

Prelims Relevance7%
Mains Relevance7%

Syllabus Tags

AgricultureSoil HealthFertilizersFarmers WelfareGS3