TEC Internship Scheme 2026
The Soil Health Card scheme provides farmers with vital information about their soil's nutrient status and offers Read More... expert advice on fertilizers and soil amendments to ensure long-term soil health. Read less
Details
India's agriculture sector is the backbone of its economy, and healthy soil is the key to its productivity. The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) aims to empower farmers with the knowledge of their soil's condition through the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme.
What Is This Scheme?
The Soil Health Card scheme is a flagship initiative that provides every farmer with a Soil Health Card. This card details the current status of their soil concerning 12 key nutrients and parameters. Based on these findings, it also suggests the right fertilizers and soil amendments to use, ensuring better crop yields and soil sustainability.
Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?
This scheme is designed for all farmers across India. Whether you own a large farm or a small plot of land, you can avail yourself of this service to understand and improve your soil's health.
Why This Scheme Is Important
The scheme is crucial for promoting scientific nutrient management practices across the nation. By issuing Soil Health Cards, it helps strengthen soil testing facilities and builds the capacity of agricultural staff. It ensures standardized procedures for soil sampling and analysis, leading to accurate fertilizer recommendations and helping farmers reduce input costs by avoiding unnecessary use of fertilizers.
Objective
Benefits
Sources and references
Eligibility Criteria
- The scheme is open to all farmers residing in India.
How To Apply
- Farmers interested in getting their soil tested for free should contact their District or State Nodal Officer.
- An authorized agent will visit the farmer, collect details about the farmer and their land, and use a mobile app to geo-tag the land and generate a QR code. This QR code contains information about the farmer and the land.
- Soil samples collected from the land are sent to a Soil Testing Laboratory (STL) for analysis.
- The soil is tested for 12 different parameters.
- Once the soil test is completed, the Soil Health Card is generated on the official portal.
- The SHC will include recommendations on which crops are suitable for the soil type and the appropriate dosage and type of fertilizers needed.
For detailed information and to find the relevant nodal officer, farmers can visit the official Soil Health Card portal.
Documents Required
The specific documents required for the Soil Health Card scheme can vary from state to state. It is best to check with your local agriculture department or the designated nodal officer for the most accurate and up-to-date list.
Official Sources
For the most current information, please refer to the official scheme portal and state agriculture department websites.
FAQ’s
Can any farmer apply for a Soil Health Card?
Yes, absolutely! Any farmer can apply for a Soil Health Card for their land. You can do this by reaching out to your District Agriculture Office.
What information does a Soil Health Card provide?
Your Soil Health Card will show the status of your soil concerning 12 important parameters, including macronutrients (N, P, K, S), micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo), and soil properties like pH and EC. It will also suggest fertilizer recommendations and any soil amendments needed.
How do I get my soil tested under this scheme?
To get your soil tested for free, contact your District/State Nodal Officer. An agent will visit, collect your details and land information, geo-tag your farm using a mobile app, and generate a QR code. Your soil sample will then be tested at a Soil Testing Laboratory (STL) to generate your SHC.
Are there any charges for soil testing under this scheme?
No, the process of obtaining a Soil Health Card and getting your soil tested is completely free of charge for farmers under this scheme.
What kind of soil recommendations will I receive?
The recommendations are based on GFR (Geographical Fertility Rating) developed by State Agriculture Universities. You'll receive advice on fertilizer dosage and soil amendments suitable for your soil type and specific crop needs.
Can I request soil testing for parameters not listed in the scheme?
No, the testing under this specific scheme covers the 12 predefined parameters as outlined by the program.
Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Sign in with Google