Soil Health Card

Soil Health Card

The President of India launched the Soil Health Card scheme on 19th February 2015 from Saratghrah, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan.

Slogan/Tagline of the scheme ” Swasth Dharaa. Khet Haraa.”- Healthy Earth. Green Farm.

Soil Health Card is a Government of India scheme promoted by the “Department of Agriculture and Co-operation” under the “Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.”

Soil Health Card contains the status of the soil, the parameters on which the card is made are namely NPK (Nitrogen Phoshprus Pottasium), which are the Macro Nutrients, S (Secondary Nutrients); Micro Nutrients which include Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo. 

Even the Physical parameters such as pH, Elemental carbon(EC), Organic carbons(OC) are included.

Earlier Soil Health Card card mentioned Macro Nutrients more rather than Micro-Nutrients. In this new Soil Health Card also indicate fertilizer recommendation and soil amendment required for the farm.

The Soil Health Card also mentions the soil’s pH, helping farmers identify whether their soil is acidic or alkaline.

Acidity in the soil is typically seen in parts with high rainfall because it dissolves the soil’s essential elements and makes it acidic. Even Acid rain also increases soil acidity. 

Excessive use of urea in the soil also makes it acidic. In that case, the Soil Health Card will recommend using lime (chuna) to decrease the acidity.

Alkalinity in the soil is seen in the low rainfall areas, examples, desert. The Soil Health Card will recommend using gypsum to reduce alkalinity.

For Indian soil, the ideal NPK ratio should be at 4:2:1. These three component mainly decides the health of the soil. But this ratio gets imbalanced due to excess use of fertilizers, urea, and Soil Pollution. 

Soil Testing

Soil Health Card will lead farmers to identify the soil indicators. A meeting will be organized by trained personal where the farmers will be able to showcase their queries related to soil and gain relevant information regarding soil health.

For Soil Testing, soil samples will be drawn in a grig of 2.5ha in irrigated areas, and 10ha in the rain-fed areas with GPS and revenue map help. 

Soil samples will be taken twice in a year. Samples will be taken from four corners making a V-shaped pit (15-20cm deep) and then from the center. Then the samples would be mixed thoroughly. In this mixing process, pebbles, weed, and any plant materials are removed. After mixing, the sample is divided into four parts and then removing the soil from two opposite sections; and this process is repeated until half a kilogram soil is left. Then that sample is sent to the laboratory for Soil Testing.

Soil Health Card Benefits

• Farmers will have updated data about their soil 
• Farmers will get complete guidance regarding the use of fertilizers and urea.
• With this card, farmers can decide which crop they should cultivate and which crops they should skip. 

The validity of the  Soil Health Card is three years. After three years again, testing is required.