Domestic Funding Of Foreign Training 2026

This scheme supports setting up village-level soil testing labs to promote soil health analysis, encourage judicious fertiliser Read More... use, and raise farmer awareness about soil management. Read less

Details

The RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) scheme aims to bring soil testing closer to farmers by establishing Village-level Soil Testing Laboratories (VLSTL). This initiative is designed to empower rural entrepreneurs and provide farmers with easy and affordable access to soil analysis, helping them make better farming decisions.

What Is This Scheme?

The RKVY Soil Health and Fertility component focuses on setting up soil testing labs right in villages. Local youth, self-help groups (SHGs), Krishi Sakhis, students, and agriculture graduates can set up and operate these labs. The goal is to ensure farmers get timely soil test results without having to travel far.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is primarily for rural entrepreneurs, including young individuals looking for self-employment, SHGs, and agriculture students. By operating these labs, they can earn a livelihood. Additionally, farmers directly benefit from accessible and affordable soil testing, leading to improved crop yields and reduced input costs.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The scheme is crucial for several reasons. It helps farmers understand their soil's nutrient status, enabling them to use fertilisers and organic manure more effectively. This not only optimizes crop production but also reduces costs and prevents environmental damage from overuse of chemicals. It also promotes a better understanding of soil health among farmers and strengthens the agricultural infrastructure at the local level.

Objective

This scheme supports setting up village-level soil testing labs to promote soil health analysis, encourage judicious fertiliser use, and raise farmer awareness about soil management.

Benefits

Under the scheme, different international training programmes will be offered to eligible government officers as mentioned below:

Long-Term Foreign Training Programmes (6-12 months)

Short Term Foreign Training Programmes (up to 6 months)

Partial Funding of Foreign Study (of more than 6 months)

Sources and references

Official Website

Who Can Apply?

The applicant must be between 18 and 27 years of age.
Must have passed at least the 10th grade with a science background and possess basic computer knowledge.
The applicant or the entrepreneur group must have their own premises or a rented building, with a lease agreement valid for at least four years.

How To Apply

The process for setting up a Village-Level Soil Testing Laboratory typically involves the following steps:

Proposals are submitted by potential entrepreneurs to the District Level Executive Committee (DLEC).
The DLEC forwards these proposals to the State Level Executive Committee (SLEC).
The SLEC reviews and finalizes the entrepreneur's proposals. This entire approval process by SLEC is expected to take a maximum of one month.
Upon approval from the SLEC, the State Government will release the financial assistance to the selected entrepreneurs within one week.
Entrepreneurs, after receiving the funds, must submit receipts for the procurement of lab equipment and consumables to the DLEC within 15 days.

Note: The specific application portal or address for submission will be communicated by the respective State Government authorities.

Documents You Might Need

Aadhaar card
Proof of land ownership or lease agreement
Bank account details
Passport-sized photographs

Please note that the exact list of documents can differ based on the specific state and the type of support being availed. It's best to check with the local agricultural department or relevant state authority for the most up-to-date information.

FAQ’s

What kind of training will be provided to the entrepreneurs who set up these labs?

Yes, the state government and the equipment manufacturer will organize training for the beneficiary entrepreneurs. This training will cover essential topics like how to collect samples using a mobile app, proper sampling methodologies, operating the testing machines, maintaining the equipment, using consumables effectively, and generating Soil Health Cards from test results via the SHC portal.

How will farmers be made aware about the Soil Health Card (SHC) and its benefits?

The trained entrepreneurs will be responsible for creating awareness among farmers. They will educate farmers about using fertilisers and recommend crops based on the insights provided by the Soil Health Card.

What is the process for getting approval for these labs?

District Level Executive Committees (DLECs) send proposals from entrepreneurs to the State Level Executive Committee (SLEC). The SLEC then finalizes these proposals. The entire approval process by the SLEC is expected to be completed within one month.

Once approved, how long does it take to receive the financial aid?

After the SLEC approves an application, the State Government is expected to release the financial assistance to the entrepreneurs within a week.

When do I need to submit bills for the equipment I buy?

After receiving the financial assistance, you will need to submit the bills or receipts for the lab equipment and consumables you have purchased to the DLEC within 15 days.

Are there any specific eligibility criteria related to education for setting up a lab?

Yes, the applicant needs to have passed at least the 10th grade with a science background and should also have knowledge of computers.

Can Self-Help Groups (SHGs) set up these village-level soil testing labs?

Absolutely. Village-Level Soil Testing Labs can be established by SHGs, and also by participants of the Rural Awareness Works Experience (RAWE) program, Krishi Sakhis, government school students, and agriculture graduates from State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) or cooperative societies (PACS). The key is that these labs should be operated by local youth.

Does the scheme offer any special benefits for women or specific community groups?

No, this scheme does not differentiate based on gender, caste, or minority status. All eligible applicants are treated equally.

On what basis will these labs provide recommendations to farmers?

The Village-Level Soil Testing Labs will generate personalized soil nutrient recommendations after analysing the soil samples. These recommendations will be based on the specific nutrient levels found in the soil and the requirements of different crops, helping farmers apply the right amount of nutrients.