Question : SOIL HEALTH CARDS

(a) whether the Government proposes to launch a nationwide scheme to undertake soil testing across the country to check the deterioration of soil health;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has fixed any targets to provide soil health cards to all the farmers in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be issued;

(e) whether the Government proposes to introduce Farm Income Insurance Scheme to provide cover on earning from crop yield; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be introduced/ implemented?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) & (b): The Government proposes to launch ‘Soil Health Card’ scheme, to provide farmers with information on soil analysis and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for cultivation of various crops.

(c) & (d): Distribution of soil health cards is a continuous and dynamic exercise, therefore, it is targeted to issue soil health card for all 14 crore farm holding in the country every 3 years.

(e) & (f): The various crop insurance schemes have been restructured under the name of ‘National Crop Insurance Programme’ (NCIP). Under the scheme of NCIP, comprehensive risk coverage is being provided through its three components namely; (i) Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (ii) Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme and (iii) Coconut Plam Insurance Scheme throughout the country from Rabi 2013-14.

Improvement in existing Crop Insurance Schemes is a continuing process to ensure that farmers get better insurance products and are compensated adequately in case of shortfall in yield and income.