Question : Soil Health Cards

(a) the main/salient features of soil health card scheme;

(b) the number of Soil Health cards issued under the said scheme during the last three years, State-wise, including Gujarat;

(c) the details of funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under the said scheme since its inception across the country, State/UT-wise including Gujarat and West Bengal;

(d) the details of the target set and achievements made under this scheme so far;

(e) whether the agricultural production has increased across the country after the implementation of the said scheme and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(f) the details of the steps taken by the Government to further strengthen the said scheme and bring maximum areas under the coverage of this scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ??? ????? ?????? ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a): Yes, Madam. Soil Health Card Scheme plays a vital role in enhancing agricultural production in a sustainable manner. The Government has introduced Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme to assist State Governments to provide Soil Health Cards to all farmers across the country once in a cycle of 2 years. Soil Health Card provides information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility, which results in enhanced agricultural productivity.

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(b): A statement showing number of Soil Health Cards State-wise and UT-wise issued during the last three years including Gujarat is given at Annexure-I.

(c): A statement showing funds allocated/ sanctioned/ released and utilized since the inception of the Soil Health Card Scheme is given at Annexure-II.

(d): In the 1st Cycle of the scheme (2015-16 to 2016-17) against the target of distributing 10.74 crore soil health cards full target has been achieved. In the 2nd Cycle of Scheme (2017-18 to 2018-19), against the target of distributing 12.20 crore soil health cards, 4.71 crore soil health cards have been distributed to farmers.

(e): The soil Health Card Scheme is meant for upkeep the health of soil. Soil Health Cards provides information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility, which results in enhanced agricultural productivity.

The impact analysis by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, revealed that there is a reduction in use of urea by 9% and DAP by 7% but an increase in use of potash by 20% in paddy after the adoption of soil health cards that resulted in decreased cost of cultivation ranging between Rs.1000 to Rs.5000 per acre. MANAGE also observed a significant increase in yield after the adoption of soil health card recommendations by the farmers.

A Study conducted by National Productivity Council (NPC) found that application of fertilizers as per recommendations in the soil health card resulted in 8 to 10% saving in cost of production and the increase in the yield of crops to the tune of 5-6%.

(f): The SHC Scheme is being implemented in all the States/Union Territories with an aim to assist the states/ union territories to provide soil health cards to all farms holding across the country at an interval of 2 years and to strengthen / increase the soil testing facilities of the States/UTs. 411 Static Soil Testing Labs, 80 Mobile Soil Testing Labs and 8752 Mini Labs have been sanctioned. These labs will create additional soil testing capacity of 307.66 lakh samples per annum in addition to the existing capacity of 1.78 crore soil samples per annum. In addition, guidelines for outsourcing of soil sample analysis have also been issued to the states/UTs.

Further, to provide soil testing facilities at farmers door step and to create employment for rural youth, nearly 1562 village level soil testing projects have been approved and funds are being released to the states.