**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding soil testing labs in Uttar Pradesh. As of July 22, 2025, Uttar Pradesh has 254 Static Soil Testing Labs and 6 Village level Soil Testing Labs established under the Soil Health Fertility scheme. No new labs have been added since 2020. The central government addresses staffing shortages through state government initiatives, where Uttar Pradesh hires employees via outsourcing agencies. Furthermore, the central government has approved 150 Village Level Soil Testing Labs for Uttar Pradesh in the Annual Action Plan for 2025-26, with a central financial allocation of Rs. 135 lakh. The information was provided by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: A department within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned as the location of soil testing labs.
SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ: Member of Lok Sabha who asked the question about soil testing labs.
SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR: Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare who provided the answer.
Soil Health Fertility scheme: A government scheme under which soil testing labs were established.
Annual Action Plan for 2025-26: A plan that includes the approval of additional Village Level Soil Testing Labs in Uttar Pradesh with financial allocation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 360
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025
STATUS OF SOIL TESTING LABS IN UTTAR PRADESH
360. SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of total number of soil testing labs, including static, mini and mobile labs,
established in Uttar Pradesh since 2020, district-wise;
(b) whether the Ministry is taking any initiatives to address staffing shortage and
infrastructure deficiencies in Uttar Pradesh’s soil testing centers: if so, the details thereof;
and
(c) the details of any plans to increase funding for establishing new soil testing centers
in Uttar Pradesh to support the farming community?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): Under Soil Health & Fertility scheme, 254 Static Soil Testing Labs and 6 Village
level Soil Testing Labs have been established in Uttar Pradesh. No further lab has been
added since 2020.
(b) & (c): Manpower for Soil Testing Labs is arranged by State Government. However,
State Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that employees are hired through
outsourcing agencies to full fill the demand and requirement of Staff in Soil Testing Labs.
Based on request of State Government of Uttar Pradesh, 150 Village Level Soil Testing
Labs have been approved for the State in Annual Action Plan for 2025-26 with financial
allocation of Rs.135 lakh as central share.
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