Home India Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parliament Question: Key features of Soil Health Card Scheme...
Date: 2025-07-22 Category: Not Applicable State: Union Government Country: India

Parliament Question: Key features of Soil Health Card Scheme

Issued by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Executive Summary: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme since 2014-15. The scheme aims to provide SHCs to all farm holdings at least once in 3 years, promoting balanced nutrient management. The scheme analyzes soil parameters and recommends fertilizer dosages, with 1,52,51,840 SHCs distributed in Tamil Nadu to date. Key Points / Main Content: * **Scheme Objectives and Features:** * Implemented since 2014-15 to provide Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to all farm holdings. * Promotes balanced and integrated nutrient management. * Aims to improve productivity and soil fertility management. * **Soil Testing and Analysis:** * Soil samples are processed as per standard procedures. * Analyzed parameters include pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, and micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Boron). * SHCs are issued at least once in 3 years. * **Soil Health Card Information:** * Provides information on the nutrient status of soil. * Offers recommendations on judicious dosage and type of fertilizers. * Aims to improve soil health and fertility, crop productivity, and reduce input costs. * **SHC Distribution in Tamil Nadu:** * 1,52,51,840 SHCs have been generated/distributed since 2014-15. * Year-wise and district-wise SHCs issued from 2022-23 to 2025-26 are detailed in Annexure I. * **Financial Allocation:** * Rs. 127.19 crore has been allocated under the Soil Health Fertility Scheme for Tamil Nadu since inception. * **Soil Testing Laboratories in Tamil Nadu:** * 37 Static soil testing laboratories. * 21 Mobile soil testing laboratories. * 1 Village Level soil testing laboratories * 31 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Mini Soil testing labs. * 12 Tamil Nadu State Agriculture Universitys Static Labs * 29 School mini soil testing laboratories * All 131 laboratories are operational. * **Upgradation and Digital Integration:** * Upgradation of existing soil testing infrastructure is allowed (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer AAS Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer ICP). * Soil Lab registry created online on SHC Portal for digital integration. * Test results are uploaded on SHC Portal to generate Soil Health Cards digitally. Impact Analysis: * Farmers: * Impact: Receive Soil Health Cards with information on soil nutrient status and fertilizer recommendations, improving soil health, crop productivity, and reducing input costs. * Action Required: Collect and submit soil samples for testing, and implement fertilizer recommendations provided in the SHCs. * State Government of Tamil Nadu: * Impact: Responsible for implementing the SHC scheme, managing soil testing laboratories, and distributing SHCs to farmers. * Action Required: Maintain operational soil testing laboratories, ensure timely distribution of SHCs, and utilize allocated funds effectively. * Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: * Impact: Oversees the implementation of the SHC scheme, provides financial assistance, and monitors progress. * Action Required: Continue to provide financial support, monitor scheme implementation, and ensure digital integration through the SHC portal.

Key Entities Referenced

Soil Health Card Scheme: A scheme to provide Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to farmers, promoting balanced nutrient management and improving soil fertility. Tamil Nadu: A state in India where the Soil Health Card Scheme is being implemented, and for which data on SHC distribution and financial allocation are provided. Soil Health Fertility Scheme: Scheme implemented since 2014-15 to provide Soil Health Cards. Krishi Vigyan Kendras: Agricultural extension centers in India, some of which have mini soil testing labs installed. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer: Equipment used for upgradation of existing soil testing infrastructure under the scheme. Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer: Equipment used for upgradation of existing soil testing infrastructure under the scheme. SHC Portal: Online portal for Soil Health Card scheme which includes Soil Lab registry Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare, which oversees the Soil Health Card Scheme.
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 295 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025 KEY FEATURES OF SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME 295. SHRI C N ANNADURAI: SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI NAVASKANI K: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state? (a) the details of key features & objectives of the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme, including frequency of soil testing, parameters analyzed and the mode of delivery of advisory to farmers; (b) whether the scheme helps in promoting judicious use of fertilizers, improving crop productivity and reducing input costs, if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of total number of Soil Health Cards issued to farmers in the State of Tamil Nadu since the launch of the scheme, year-wise and district-wise; (d) the financial allocation made under the SHC Scheme for Tamil Nadu since its inception; (e) the number and type of soil testing laboratories currently operational in Tamil Nadu, including Static labs, mobile soil testing vans and mini-labs installed at Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs), Agricultural Universities or Block-level offices; and (f) whether Government proposes to upgrade the existing soil testing infrastructure orintegrate it with other digital agriculture platforms for seamless service delivery and if so, details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a) to (c): Soil Health & Fertility Scheme is being implemented since 2014-15 to provide Soil Health Cards (SHCs) for all farm holdings, to promote balanced and integrated nutrient management for improving productivity and soil fertility management. Soil samples are processed as per standard procedures and analyzed for parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, and micro-nutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese & Boron). Thediagnostic soil health assessment of farmer fields are taken up periodically so as to issue SHCs at least once in 3 years. SHCs are issued to farmers that provide information on nutrient status of soil and recommendations on judicious dosage and type of fertilizers for improving soil health & its fertility, crop productivity and reducing input cost. Since 2014- 15, 1,52,51,840 SHCs have been generated/distributed till date across the State of Tamil Nadu. The year-wise and district-wise SHCs issued to farmers in the State of Tamil Nadu from 2022-23 to 2025-26 as per SHC Portal (as on 16.07.2025) are given at Annexure-I. (d): The financial allocation of Rs.127.19 crore has been made under the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme for Tamil Nadu since inception of the scheme till date. (e): The number of soil testing laboratories including Static labs, mobile soil testing vans and mini-labs; established in Tamil Nadu are as under: S. No. Type of soil testing laboratories Numbers of soil testing laboratories 1 Static soil testing laboratories 37 2 Mobile soil testing laboratories 21 3 Village Level soil testing laboratories 1 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs) Mini 31 Soil testing labs 5 Tamil Nadu State Agriculture 12 University’s Static Labs 6 School mini soil testing laboratories 29 Total 131 As informed by State Government, all 131 soil testing laboratories are operational. (f): Government has allowed upgradation of the existing soil testing infrastructure with Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS)/ Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer (ICP) under the scheme. Soil Lab registry has been created online on SHC Portal as digital integration. Test results are uploaded on SHC Portal to generate Soil Health card digitally.Annexure-I Year-wise and District-wise Soil Health Cards issued to farmers in the State of Tamil Nadu since inception of the scheme Cycle I Cycle II 2025-26 (2015-16 (2017-18 2019- (As on S.No District 2014-15 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Total and 2016- and 2018- 20 16.07.202 17) 19) 5) 1 Ariyalur 8,000 110,109 120,886 1,146 2,220 4,001 7,350 1,601 255,313 2 Chengalpattu - - - - 3,690 7,299 9,350 556 20,895 3 Coimbatore 11,500 119,500 116,813 2,102 2,440 4,600 6,050 1,052 264,057 4 Cuddalore 10,000 320,493 310,644 1,247 7,240 13,800 20,250 2,910 686,584 5 Dharmapuri 9,000 210,300 210,300 1,048 2,290 4,900 10,100 1,359 449,297 6 Dindigul 8,000 245,053 249,291 1,938 2,890 6,167 10,050 1,629 525,018 7 Erode 12,600 193,779 199,121 1,617 1,940 4,200 8,774 2,916 424,947 8 Kallakurichi - - - - 4,740 8,402 12,400 1,144 26,686 Kancheepura 9 10,000 141,729 213,656 1,056 3,040 5,500 7,100 1,239 383,320 m 10 Kanyakumari 9,500 172,333 237,482 2,040 1,090 1,900 3,050 2,671 430,066 11 Karur 12,210 150,433 147,121 2,185 1,390 2,898 6,700 3,089 326,026 12 Krishnagiri 12,900 257,080 243,205 1,098 2,840 6,300 11,450 1,918 536,791 13 Madurai 14,800 257,027 257,027 2,044 4,590 8,451 11,750 4,123 559,812 14 Mayiladuthurai - - - - 2,590 4,702 7,350 - 14,642 15 Nagapatinam 12,110 147,289 145,188 1,603 2,240 3,900 7,900 1,473 321,703 16 Namakkal 12,200 231,949 243,766 1,423 3,340 6,506 11,950 1,878 513,012 17 Perambalur 12,500 127,118 119,188 1,345 1,390 2,500 5,950 1,880 271,871 18 Pudukottai 11,500 342,435 330,797 2,594 4,940 9,800 14,300 2,152 718,518 Ramanathapur 19 11,000 218,405 206,604 4,046 4,690 8,600 13,650 1,189 468,184 am 20 Ranipet - - - - 3,440 5,700 7,700 1,253 18,093 21 Salem 10,000 262,759 252,388 3,626 3,590 7,440 15,000 2,497 557,300 22 Sivagangai 7,000 356,489 352,416 1,876 4,640 8,798 12,700 1,868 745,787 23 Tenkasi 0 0 0 0 2,490 3,940 7,150 1,233 14,813 24 Thanjavur 9,700 298,434 289,745 1,833 6,790 11,800 20,700 3,789 642,791 25 The Nilgiris 6,000 71,561 70,300 984 330 612 670 649 151,106 26 Theni 6,000 153,724 137,573 1,418 1,940 2,623 4,354 750 308,382 27 Thiruppur 6,000 121,966 139,296 2,569 4,940 5,135 9,200 1,630 290,736 28 Thiruvallur 12,200 198,906 177,748 1,115 4,440 10,436 14,232 1,874 420,951 Thiruvannamal 29 12,900 339,508 365,777 2,131 2,440 17,514 26,852 3,140 770,262 ai 30 Thiruvarur 12,800 174,578 169,735 1,252 1,940 8,893 15,700 1,612 386,510 31 Thoothukudi 9,400 205,435 210,451 1,858 2,890 8,700 14,950 2,565 456,249 32 Tiruchirapalli 10,010 303,098 261,560 2,612 5,740 8,300 12,150 2,375 605,845 33 Tirunelveli 9,500 269,729 277,927 2,339 8,940 4,076 5,850 1,220 579,581 34 Tirupathur - - - - 4,640 4,000 6,050 274 14,964 35 Vellore 10,035 250,339 252,115 2,472 2,440 5,101 7,550 877 530,929 36 Villupuram 12,500 606,290 570,154 2,423 7,390 13,906 19,400 2,751 1,234,814 37 Virudhunagar 12,500 142,152 138,380 1,277 5,440 9,000 14,318 2,918 325,985 Total 324,365 7,000,000 7,016,654 58,317 134,050 250,400 400,000 68,054 15,251,840 *******

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