MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 397 DUE FOR REPLY ON 30TH APRIL, 2007.
(a) At present there are 609 soil testing laboratories (STLs) (487 static and 122 mobile)
functioning in the country. A statement showing state-wise number of STLs working
during 2005-06 is enclosed as Annexure-1.
(b) The performance of all the STLs is being assessed and the percent capacity utilization
of STLs during 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 are 70.5%, 73.2%, 71.53% and
74.50% respectively.
(c) & (d) To increase the number of STLs in the country, the Government is providing
financial assistance for establishment of STLs through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme,
Balanced & Integrated Use of Fertilizers under Macro Management of Agriculture
Scheme. The State Governments are augmenting the STLs capacity under Macro
Management of Agriculture Scheme in 11th Five Year Plan also.
(e) At present there is no such proposal under consideration of the Government.
(f) The Government is promoting establishment and strengthening of static STLs in the
country to ensure analysis of soil samples for major, secondary and micro nutrients which
the soil test mini kits are not able to analyse.