Question : SOIL HEALTH CARD

(a) whether the Government proposes to launch `Soil Health Card` Scheme across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the aims and objectives of the said Scheme;

(c) the number of Soil Health Cards likely to be issued and the funds allocated and utilised for the purpose, State/UT- wise;

(d) whether there is any proposal to digitise the record of soil testing of all the farm holding in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the benefits likely to accrue to the farmers under the scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a) & (b): ‘Soil Health Card’ Scheme has been introduced in current year to assist State Governments to issue soil health cards to all farmers in the country. The aims and objectives of the Scheme are: i. To issue soil health cards every 3 years, to all farmers of the country, so as to provide a basis to address nutrient deficiencies in fertilization practices. ii. To strengthen functioning of Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) through capacity building, involvement of agriculture students and effective linkage with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) / State Agricultural Universities (SAUs). iii. To diagnose soil fertility related constraints with standardized procedures for sampling uniformly across states and analysis and design taluqa / block level fertilizer recommendations in targeted districts. iv. To develop and promote soil test based nutrient management in the districts for enhancing nutrient use efficiency. v. To build capacities of district and state level staff and of progressive farmers for promotion of nutrient management practices.

(c): The number of Soil Health Cards likely to be issued in 3 years time is given in Annexure-I. The State-wise funds released in 2014-15 for training in collection of soil samples, testing and materials for soil sampling is given in Annexure-II.

(d) & (e): It is proposed to develop an application software for the States for online generation of soil health cards and fertilizer recommendations. Dissemination of soil testing results through SMSs will be enabled.