(a) whether in view of the importance of soil health improvement the Government has launched any programme in this regard; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government thereon?
(a) whether in view of the importance of soil health improvement the Government has launched any programme in this regard; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a): Yes, Madam. The Government has launched the “National Project on Management of
Soil Health & Fertility†during 2008-09 to promote soil test based balanced and judicious
use of fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity.
(b): The mail components of the scheme include setting up of 500 new static soil testing
laboratories, strengthening of existing 315 soil testing laboratories, setting up of 250
mobile soil testing laboratories, promoting organic manures & soil amendments, distribution of
micronutrients, setting up of 20 new fertilizer quality control laboratories and strengthening
the existing 63 fertilizer quality control laboratories during the 11th Five Year Plan.
Under the scheme, funds amounting to Rs.16.62 crore and Rs.37.96 crore were released
during 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively. The Budget allocation for 2010-11 is Rs.25.00 crore.