Parliament Question: Soil Health and Balanced Fertilizer Usage

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 140 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09TH DECEMBER, 2025 SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE *140. SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY:

DR. BHOLA SINGH Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has undertaken any recent assessment to determine the extent of imbalance in fertiliser use across States and its impact on soil health in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in Dewas and ShajapurLok Sabha constituency, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the latest measures being implemented to promote balanced fertiliser application, including through Soil Health Cards or other advisory systems in the region;

(c) whether any new initiatives have been launched to reduce excessive fertiliser usage and improve nutrient management practices in the Dewas and ShajapurLok Sabha constituencies, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of any pilot projects or reviews undertaken to link fertiliser subsidies with soil health-based recommendations in the region; and

(e) whether any district-level pilot projects demonstrations or soil health assessments have been undertaken, State and district-wise including Rajasthan and Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh? ANSWER MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09TH DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING “SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE”

(a) & (b): No such assessment has been undertaken by Government to determine the extent of imbalance in fertilizer use across states and its impact on Soil health in Madhya Pradesh particularly in Dewas and Shajapur constituency. However, Government promotes judicious use of fertilizer through Soil Health & Fertility scheme. The schemeis 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. 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 micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese & Boron). The diagnostic soil health assessment of farmer fields is taken up periodically so as to issue SHCs at least once in 3 years.

Since 2014-15, 25.61 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated/ distributed as on date across the country. Under the scheme, Rs. 1970 Crore fund has been released so far since inception. 93781 farmer’s trainings, 6.80 lakh demonstrations, 7425 farmer’s melas/ campaigns on soil health card recommendations have been organized across the country. In Dewas, total 5970 SHCs have been distributed and 39 training/seminar/KisanMela organized on balanced use of fertilizer during 2025-26. Similarly, in Shajapur, 10,828 SHCs have distributed and 21 training/seminar/KisanMela organized on balanced use of fertilizer during 2025-26.

National Productivity Council (NPC), New Delhi carried out a study 'Soil Testing Infrastructure for Faster Delivery of SHC in India' in 2017 in 76 districts of 19 States including Madhya Pradesh covering 170 soil testing labs and 1700 farmers. As a result of application of fertilizer and micronutrients as per SHC recommendations, there has been a decrease of use of chemical fertilizer application in the range of 8-10% was found. Overall 5-6% increase in the yield of crops was reported, due to application of fertilizer and micronutrients as per SHC.

An impact study of Soil Health & Fertility Scheme (November 2017) was conducted by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad. As per report, about 62.8% of the farmers use fertilizers according to the recommendations on the SHC. The cost per acre reduced by 4 to 10 % due to low fertilizer use. Crop yields increased for majority of the crops, although moderately. Overall, paddy farmers reduced use of urea by9%, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP)/Single Super Phosphate by 7%, but increased use of Potassium by 20%. There was substantial decline in fertilizer use especially urea and DAP in paddy and cotton resulted in decreased cost of cultivation per unit area.

(c): The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has informed a pilot project on e-token– based fertilizer distribution system has been initiatedin the districts of Shajahpur, Vidisha and Jabalpur from 01.10.2025. The aim of this pilot project is to ensure timely, transparent and efficient supply of fertilizers to farmers. Under this system, farmers register through Agristack and receive e-tokens specifying the date and quantity of fertilizer they can lift. Sellers provide fertilizer only after scanning the token through a mobile app, ensuring accuracy and preventing misuse. Stock availability at rake points, wholesalers, cooperatives and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies is updated online for real-time monitoring. District officials oversee implementation, while awareness is spread through SMS and media. This initiative streamlines distribution and significantly improves farmer convenience and transparency.

(d): Government of Madhya Pradesh has informed that no such pilot projects or reviews have been undertaken to link fertiliser subsidies with soil health-based recommendations in the region.

(e): Under Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, soil health assessment is undertaken regularly through generation of SHCs. This year during 2025-26, so far 55.64 lakh SHCs have been generated across the country including Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. State-wise details are at Annexure-I. Out of these, 11,55,156 SHCs have been generated in Uttar Pradesh and 3,23,952 SHCs have been generated in Rajasthan. In Bulandshahr, 24,400 SHCs have been generated. Details of district wise generation of SHCs during 2024-25 in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are at Annexure-II and III respectively.ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (e) OF THE OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09TH DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING “SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE” Annexure-I State –wise details of Soil Health Card generation during 2025-26 (as on 04.12.2025) State Soil Health Card Generated ANDAMAN & NICOBAR 1731 ANDHRA PRADESH 400790 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 12969 ASSAM 111430 BIHAR 176125 CHHATTISGARH 210670 GOA 4579 GUJARAT 302166 HARYANA 221400 HIMACHAL PRADESH 47889 JAMMU & KASHMIR 57615 JHARKHAND 137233 KARNATAKA 211559 KERALA 41706 LADAKH 0 MADHYA PRADESH 715595 MAHARASHTRA 439535 MANIPUR 3 MEGHALAYA 4550 MIZORAM 1375 NAGALAND 78665 ODISHA 163745 PUDUCHERRY 600 PUNJAB 142616 RAJASTHAN 323878 SIKKIM 11586 TAMIL NADU 282131 TELANGANA 71818 TRIPURA 8738 UTTAR PRADESH 1155146 UTTARAKHAND 41768 WEST BENGAL 184916 Total 5564527 (Source- Soil Health Card portal of Govt. of India)ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (e) OF THE OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09TH DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING “SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE” (Annexure-II) District –wise details of Soil Health Card generation during 2025-26 (as on 04.12.2025) in Rajasthan Districts of Rajasthan SHC generated AJMER 4627 Beawar 3805 JAIPUR 32345 DAUSA 14685 TONK 13066 BANSWARA 3328 DUNGARPUR 2968 PRATAPGARH 2973 UDAIPUR 4303 Salumbar 3283 BARAN 5551 BUNDI 9899 JHALAWAR 8283 KOTA 8234 Balotra 2361 JODHPUR 13594 Phalodi 0 BHARATPUR 9113 Deeg 4086 ALWAR 10298 Kotputli-Behror 4013 Khairthal-Tijara 3558 DHOLPUR 6701 KARAULI 6999 SAWAI MADHOPUR 17322 BHILWARA 6835 CHITTORGARH 13157 RAJSAMAND 9243 PALI 7476 SIROHI 3726 JALORE 3815 JHUNJHUNU 11609 NAGAUR 6342DidwanaKuchaman 3333 SIKAR 6133 BIKANER 8404 CHURU 15879 JAISALMER 7102 HANUMANGARH 14526 GANGANAGAR 7832 BARMER 1963 Jodhpur Gramin 900 Jaipur Gramin 232 Gangapurcity 31 Shahpura 0 Kekri 0 Neem Ka Thana 19 Total 323952 (Source- Soil Health Card portal of Govt. of India)ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (e) OF THE OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09TH DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING “SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE” Annexure-III District –wise details of Soil Health Card generation during 2025-26 (as on 04.12.2025) in Uttar Pradesh Districts of Uttar Pradesh SHCs generated SAHARANPUR 15400 MUZAFFARNAGAR 12880 SHAMLI 7101 MEERUT 18087 BAGHPAT 8430 BULANDSHAHR 24400 GHAZIABAD 5700 GAUTAM BUDDHA NAGAR 2840 HAPUR 5500 HATHRAS 10500 Kasganj 9830 AGRA 20950 MATHURA 13988 FIROZABAD 12550 MAINPURI 12600 BAREILLY 21012 BUDAUN 21000 SHAHJAHANPUR 21000 ALIGARH 16787 ETAH 11200 MORADABAD 11200 AMROHA 8400 RAMPUR 8400 SAMBHAL 11200 FARRUKHABAD 9800 KANNAUJ 11204 ETAWAH 12300 AURAIYA 9802 KANPUR NAGAR 14000 KANPUR DEHAT 14300 FATEHPUR 18208 PRAYAGRAJ 32293 KAUSHAMBI 11211 PRATAPGARH 23796JHANSI 9586 LALITPUR 8400 JALAUN 12400 HAMIRPUR 10800 MAHOBA 5600 BANDA 11223 CHITRAKOOT 6932 VARANASI 11150 CHANDAULI 12550 GHAZIPUR 22400 JAUNPUR 29403 MIRZAPUR 16901 SONBHADRA 14000 BHADOHI 8400 AZAMGARH 30736 MAU 12590 BALLIA 19147 GORAKHPUR 27368 MAHARAJGANJ 16800 DEORIA 22398 KUSHI NAGAR 19800 BASTI 19665 SIDDHARTH NAGAR 19806 SANT KABEER NAGAR 12400 LUCKNOW 11300 UNNAO 21800 RAE BARELI 25200 SITAPUR 27099 HARDOI 26500 KHERI 21000 AYODHYA 15435 AMBEDKAR NAGAR 12600 SULTANPUR 19601 BARABANKI 21000 Amethi 18497 GONDA 22400 BALRAMPUR 12600 BAHRAICH 19500 SHRAVASTI 7000 BIJNOR 15500 PILIBHIT 9800 Total 1155156 (Source- Soil Health Card portal of Govt. of India) *******