(a) whether the Government is implementing the National Project on Management of Soil
Health and Fertility in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has finalised various parameters and works under the project;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) the details of the funds allocated for the project during each of the last three years, State-wise;
(f) whether the allocations were reduced against the demand; and
(g) if so, the details thereof?
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) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government of India 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.
(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The components of the new scheme include setting up of 500 new
static soil testing laboratories, strengthening the existing 315 soil testing laboratories, setting up 250 mobile soil testing laboratories, promoting organic manures, soil amendments and
distribution of micro nutrients, setting up 20 new fertilizer quality control laboratories and
strengthening the existing 63 fertilizer quality control laboratories during the 11th Five Year Plan.
(e): The details of funds released, State-wise, during 2008-09 and 2009-10 are annexed. The
budget allocation for 2010-11 is Rs. 25 crore.
(f) & (g): Release of fund during 2008-09 and 2009-10 and budget allocation during 2010-
11 is less than projected requirement of Rs 157.40 crore in 2008-09, Rs. 91 crore in 2009-10 and
Rs. 88.50 crore in 2010-11. The reduction has been mainly due to receipt of less number of
proposals from State Governments.