**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme in the State of Karnataka, addressed to the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It details the number of soil test labs, soil samples tested, technologies adopted, funds spent, and steps taken to improve soil health in Karnataka. The answer was provided on December 9, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs):**
* 395 STLs have been established in Karnataka (district-wise details provided in the Annexure).
* **Soil Sample Testing and Soil Health Cards (SHCs):**
* From 2020-21 to 2024-25, 11,15,363 soil samples were tested, and SHCs were generated in Karnataka.
* Within the Chitradurga Lok Sabha Constituency, 52,540 soil samples were tested, and SHCs were generated.
* **Technology Adopted:**
* STLs have been strengthened with advanced infrastructure and equipment.
* Advanced equipment includes Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy, Nitrogen analyzers, and Soil Testing kits.
* The Soil Health Card portal has been revamped and integrated with a Geographic Information System (GIS).
* Soil sample collection uses the "Bhoosaara" mobile application, integrated with the Soil Health Card Portal.
* The mobile app allows auto selection of the latitude and longitude of the location.
* **Funds Spent:**
* Rs.31.76 crore (central share) and Rs.21.17 crore (state share) have been spent on Soil Health and Fertility schemes from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
* **Steps to Improve Soil Health:**
* Under the Organic Carbon Mission, green manure seeds are distributed at a 75% subsidy.
* Farmers' field demonstrations create awareness about enriching organic carbon.
* Under the Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) program, green manure seeds, biofertilizers, and organic fertilizers are distributed to farmers at a 50% subsidized rate.
* The "Raithasiri" scheme provides Rs. 10000/ha incentive to millet-growing farmers via Direct Benefit Transfer.
* The government promotes Fermented Organic Manure (FOM).
* A school soil health program is implemented in 94 schools to involve students in soil testing.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
* **Impact:**
Farmers benefit from soil testing services, subsidized inputs (seeds, fertilizers), and incentives for millet cultivation, leading to improved soil health and potentially higher yields.
* **Action Required:**
Farmers need to utilize soil testing services, adopt recommended practices, and leverage available subsidies.
**State Government (Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare)**
* **Impact:**
The state government is responsible for implementing and managing the Soil Health and Fertility schemes, including strengthening STLs and promoting sustainable practices.
* **Action Required:**
Continue to monitor and improve the effectiveness of STLs, promote sustainable farming practices, and disseminate information about the schemes to farmers.
**Students (involved in school soil health programme)**
* **Impact:**
Students benefit from learning about soil health and soil testing and may become more environmentally conscious agricultural practitioners in the future.
* **Action Required:**
Students should actively participate in soil testing and contribute to the effort of improving soil health.
Key Entities Referenced
Soil Health and Fertility Scheme: A scheme focused on improving soil health and fertility, including testing and the distribution of Soil Health Cards.
Karnataka: Indian state which is the focus of the soil health initiatives mentioned in the document.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The primary government body responsible for the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme, as it pertains to the questions asked in the document.
Soil Health Card: Document generated by Soil Testing Laboratories after testing soil samples.
Raithasiri: Scheme to promote cultivation of less fertilizer requiring millet crops with an incentive of Rs. 10000/ha (Maximum 2 ha) provided to millet growing farmers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1581
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th DECEMBER, 2025
SOIL HEALTH AND FERTILITY SCHEME
1581. SHRI GOVIND MAKTHAPPA KARJOL
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 number of the soil test labs established in State of Karnataka, district-
wise;
(b) the details of the number of soil sample tested in the State of Karnataka during last five
years and especially in Chitradurga Lok Sabha Constituency and output result obtained;
(c) the details of the latest technology adopted for soil sample testing and for soil fertility;
(d) the details of the funds spent on Soil Health and Fertility schemes in State of Karnataka
during last 5 years; and
(e) the details of the steps taken by the Ministry to improve the soil health and fertility in
the State of Karnataka?
ANSWER
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): 395 Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) have been established in Karnataka. The district
wise details of the STLs are at Annexure.
(b): During last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25), 11,15,363 soil samples were tested and
Soil Health Cards (SHCs) generated in Karnataka. Out of these, 52, 540 soil samples were
tested and SHCs generated in Chitradurga Lok Sabha Constituency.
(c): As per information furnished by the state government, the STLs have been strengthened
with advanced infrastructure and equipments to improve the performance and enhance
capacity of the soil testing. Advanced equipments like Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer,
Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy, Nitrogen analysers and Soil Testing kits have
been provided. The Government has revamped the Soil Health Card portal integrated with a
Geographic Information System (GIS) system for capturing soil sample collection and
nutrient status on real time in Karnataka. Soil sample collection is carried out using State
Mobile application “ Bhoosaara’ and test results are entered in state web application which
is integrated with Soil Health Card Portal of Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Mobile application has auto selection of the latitude and longitude of the location, and test
results of samples entered directly on the portal to ensure accuracy.(d): Rs.31.76 crore (central share) and Rs.21.17 crore (state share) have been spent on
Soil Health and Fertility schemes in State of Karnataka during last five years from 2020-
21 to 2024-25 .
(e): Under the Organic Carbon Mission scheme, distribution of green manure seeds at 75%
subsidy is provided to all the categories of farmers. Demonstrations in farmers’ fields are
conducted to create awareness on the importance of enriching organic carbon in soil. Under
Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) programme, green manure seeds, biofertilizers and
organic fertilizers are distributed to farmers at 50% subsidized rate. To promote cultivation of
less fertilizer requiring millet crops, under “Raithasiri” scheme an incentive of Rs. 10000/ha
(Maximum 2 ha) is provided to millet growing farmers based on crop survey through Direct
Benefit Transfer. The Government is promoting the use of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM)
as an alternative to chemical fertilizers to improve soil health. School soil health programme
is implemented in 94 schools in the state to involve students in soil testing and sensitize
them about the importance of soil health.Annexure
District-wise details of the Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) established in Karnataka
S.N. District Agriculture Co- Village Horticulture Sericulture SAUs/ Total
department lab operatives level KVKs
/pvt KVK
static mobile mini
1 Bagalkote 1 - - 7 - - 3 11
2 Ballari 1 - 1 - 3 - - 2 7
3 Bengaluru 1 - 1 - 1 1 1 3 8
4 Bengaluru - - - - 2 - - 1 3
5 Belagavi 1 1 2 37 1 - 0 42
6 Bidar 1 - - - 3 1 - 2 7
7 Chamarajanag 1 - - - 5 - - 1 7
8 Chikkamagalur 1 - - - 18 - - 3 22
9 Chikkaballapur 1 - - - 5 - - 0 6
10 Chitradurga 1 - - - 23 - - 3 27
11 Dakshinakanna 1 - - - 4 - - 0 5
12 Davanagere 1 - - - 8 1 - 1 11
13 Dharwad 1 - - - 3 - - 4 8
14 Gadag 1 - - - 4 - - 1 6
15 Hassan 1 - - - 5 - - 2 8
16 Haveri 1 - 1 - 19 - - 2 23
17 Kalburgi 1 - 1 - 18 - - 3 23
18 Kodagu 1 - - - 3 - - 1 5
19 Kolara 1 - - - 9 - - 2 12
20 Koppal 1 - - - 3 1 - 3 8
21 Mandya 1 - 1 - 6 - - 2 10
22 Mysuru 1 - - - 3 1 - 0 5
23 Raichur 1 - - - 3 - - 4 8
24 Ramanagara 1 - - - 22 - - 1 24
25 Shivamogga 1 - - - 21 1 - 3 26
26 Tumakur 1 - 1 - 5 - - 1 8
27 Udupi 1 - - - 13 - - 2 16
28 Uttarakannada 1 - - - 5 - - 2 8
29 Vijayapura 1 - - 1 17 - - 3 22
30 Vijayanagara 1 - - - - - - 1
31 Yadagiri 1 - - - 16 - - 1 18
Total 30 1 6 3 291 7 1 56 395
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