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Soil Health Card Scheme was initiated by the Prime Minister of India for the welfare of the farmers. The scheme helps farmers know about the crops that can be planted depending on the soil based on scientific methods. By doing this, the farmers can get maximum yield while harvesting the crops.
The aim of soil health card scheme is to develop soil tests and balanced use of fertilisers to enable farmers to utilize them judiciously. Soil Samples are taken twice regularly in a year after the harvesting of Rabi and Kharif Crop or when there is no crop in the field.
National Productivity Council (NPC) says in a study, “Soil Testing Infrastructure for Faster Delivery of Soil Health Cards in India”. There is a decrease in the use of chemical fertilizers in the range of 8-10% and increase in yield of crops to the tune of 5-6% through the awareness of Soil Health Card.
Features of Soil Health Card
The features of the Soil Health Card are as follows.
- The scheme intends to cover 14 crore farmers.
- The scheme is implemented in all parts of the country.
- The card guides the farmers about the soil and the apt crop that can be cultivated.
Soil Health Card
Soil Health Card contains the following details:
- The health of the soil.
- Functional characteristics of the soil.
- The water content and nutrients present in the soil.
- Additional properties of the soil.
- Measures to improve the defects of the soil.
Benefits
- The farmers will be notified about the soil type and they can plant crops accordingly.
- The authorities provide a report to the farmers once in 3 years after observing the soil regularly. This makes the farmers not to be concerned about the cultivation even if the soil changes due to natural factors.
- The farmers are also given advice by the experts to improve the productivity of the crops and the necessary methods that have to be practised in order to implement the changes.
- The Government sees that the same person is carrying out all the soil analysis so that there can be further changes that can be made if required.
- The farmers will be informed about the needed nutrients in the soil.
