Soil Health Card :
Introduction :
- Soil Health Card Scheme was launched in 2015 and implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Soil Health Card Scheme was lauched to issue soil cards to farmers which will carry out crop-wise recommendations for the individual farmers for nutrients and fertilisers requirement.
- The Phase-I of the scheme i.e, from 2015 – 2017 in between a total of 10.74 crore cards were issued to farmers and in the 2nd phase i.e, from 2017 – 2019 a total of 11.69 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers.
- In fiscal year 2020, a flagship programee for Development of Model Villages has been launched.
- Soil health card will be issued to farmers in once in 3 years .
- Issuance of the soil health cards will let farmers understand the health parameters of soil and improve its productivity.
What is the need of Soil Health Card :
- The ideal NPK ratio of Indian soil should be 4:2:1 but Indian soil has 6.8:2.7:1 .
- Worldwide ,India is the third largest producer and as well as consumer of fertilizers.
- But due to lack of knowledge farmers use excessive urea which effects soil badly.
- Excessive use of urea leads to soil acidification, impacts crop quality , ground water pollution etc.
Objective of Soil Health Card Scheme :
- Issue of soil health card for every 3 years.
- It will diagnose constraints related to fertility of soil.
- Enhancing nutrient use efficency by testing soil.
- Strengthening the functioning of Soil Testing Labs.
- It will lead to crop diversification .
- It will help progressive farmers for promotion of nutrient management practices.
- The objective of soil health card scheme is to provide information related to soil health to about 120 million farm holdings in the country.
Features of Soil Health Card Schemes :
- Collection of soil samples of 2.5 hactare in irrigated land area and 10 hactare in un-irrigated land area .
- It will indicate the status of soil on based on 12 parameters in 4 categories –
(1) Macro Nutrients including :
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sodium
(2) Secondary nutrients –
- Sulphur
(3) Micro-nutrients :
- Copper
- Ferrous
- Manganese
- Zinc
(4) Physical parameters :
- Electrical conductivity.
- Organic carbon
- pH (alkalinity of the soil)
- Dissolved salts in soil.
- Soil Health Card will also provide recommendation of fertilizer according to soil type.
- Soil Health Card will use GPS enabled soil sampling .
- It will help to provide a database which will help in research and improvement of health of soil.
Implementation of Soil Health Card :
- District wise fertility plans to be prepared by State Governments.
- Collected sample is to be tested in State sponsored labs.
- Collection of soil samples twice a year after kharif and rabi crop harvesting .
- One week training is being provided to soil chemists for soil collection.
- A amount of Rs.190 per soil sample is given to State Governments.
- Results of Soil Health Cards :
- Results are indicated with colour codes of Soil Health Card given below :
- Green indicates Sufficient (General Recommendation Dose -30%)
- Yellow indicates Moderate (General Recommendation Dose)
- Red indicates deficient (General Recommendation Dose +30%)
- Violet indicates Acidic/ Sodic /Alkaline
How to Track online Sample of Soil given by Soil Health Card scheme :
- Visit the site of Soil Health Card as given – https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/ .
- Go a little below in site and you will see Farmer’s Corner.
- From the list given below select the “Track your Sample “.
- A new page will be opened with “Track your Sample “.
- Fill all the information required carefully as – State ,District ,Sub District/ Mandal ,Village ,Farmer Name ,Village Grid No. and Sample Number.
- Enter only last digits of Sample no( For example – for sample MH558125/2015-16/27527 ).
- Click on “Search” to get your information.

How to Print your Soil Health Card online :
- Visit the site of Soil Health Card as given – https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/ .
- Go a little below in site and you will see Farmer’s Corner.
- From the list given below select the “Print your Soil Health Card “.
- A new page will be opened with “Print your Soil Health Card “.
- Fill all the information required carefully as – State ,District ,Sub District/ Mandal ,Village ,Farmer Name ,Village Grid No. and Sample Number.
- Also you can select language by options given in list.
- A option of “Unit” by which you can select area of your land.

How to Locate soil testing laboratory in your area :
- Visit the site of Soil Health Card as given – https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/ .
- Go a little below in site and you will see Farmer’s Corner.
- From the list given below select the “Locate soil testing laboratory”.
- A new page will be opened with “Locate soil testing laboratory”.
- Select the name of State and District of your choice.
- Press on “View Report”.
- A list will be opened with all the Labs name with there address and other informations.

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