Government of India's Soil Health Card mission was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Shri Narendra Modi on 19 February 2015. Under the Soil Health Card mission, the Government plans to issue soil cards to farmers which will carry crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilisers required for the individual farms to help farmers to improve productivity through judicious use of inputs.
These tests are being done at various Government Soil Testing Labs established at every district of India. For this mission, Government of India had set up thousands of new Soil Testing Labs at Government-run colleges, universities and departments with the help of Harvesto's Digital Soil Testing Mini Lab technology which is approved to be used under the Soil Health Card mission by Department of Agriculture of Government of India.
"Healthy soil. Healthy farm."
Video: Government of India's TV advertisement for Soil Health Card Mission featuring Akshay Kumar
The Government also promoted rural entrepreneurs and farmers to start their own Soil Testing Lab with Harvesto's affordable technology by providing subsidy at some places.
How can a farmer get his soil tested under the Soil Health Card scheme?
The farmer can visit his nearest Government agriculture college, Government agriculture university or Krishi Vigyan Kendra and give his soil sample to be tested under the Soil Health Card scheme.
How many Soil Health Cards have been given to farmers by the Government of India?
As per the data released by the Government of India, by May 2017 over 7 crore farmers in India have been given Soil Health Cards.
What are the parameters tested under the Soil Health Card mission?
In total, 12 parameters are tested under the Soil Health Card mission program of Government of India, which are:
Available Organic Carbon (OC)
Available Nitrogen (N)
Available Phosphorus (P)
Available Potassium (K)
Available Zinc (Zn)
Available Sulphur (S)
Available Boron (B)
Available Copper (Cu)
Available Iron (Fe)
Available Manganese (Mn)
Electrical Conductivity (EC)
pH
Lime requirement test for Acidic Soil
Gypsum requirement test for alkaline soil
What else is given in the Soil Health Card apart from testing parameter results?
Every Soil Health Card contains fertiliser dose recommendation for crops based on the soil testing results on 12 parameters. Using this, the farmer can judiciously do the fertiliser dose application as per the requirement of the crop and condition of the soil.
How can a farmer use the Soil Health Card?
Soil Health Card helps farmers in making better and smart decisions. By referring to the Soil Health Card farmers can get to know the health status and nutrient profile of their soil, and can also know how much fertiliser they need to put in the soil for optimum yield of crops.
How many crops are covered under the fertiliser dose recommendation of the Soil Health Card?
Under the Soil Health Card scheme, a farmer can get fertiliser dose recommendation for 4-5 crops which he wants to grow. All crops grown in India are covered under the recommendations of the Soil Health Card.
How frequently can farmers get the Soil Health Card?
Under the Government scheme of Soil Health Card, farmers can get Soil Health Card once every 3 years for free. However, it is advisable that a farmer should get his soil tested at a reputed laboratory for every crop-cycle every year. For frequent, affordable, and accurate soil testing, farmers can approach their nearest Government-run lab, Krishi Vigyan Kendra or a private Soil Testing Lab started by rural-entrepreneurs with Harvesto.
How is Harvesto strengthening the Soil Health Card program?
Harvesto has been at the forefront of the Soil Health Card program and has strived to make affordable Soil Testing Labs accessible to farmers across India. Harvesto's mission is to make soil testing facility available in every village and at the doorstep of every Indian farmer.
Harvesto's technology Harvesto Soil Lab is being used by the Government of India under the Soil Health Card mission in the Government run labs to provide Soil Health Cards to Indian farmers. Several agriculture companies, rural entrepreneurs, NGO's, development missions, and private organisations have also associated with Harvesto to start their private Soil Testing Labs to make quality and affordable soil testing facility available to farmers of their region.
Harvesto's contribution to the agriculture sector and Soil Health Card mission has been appreciated by several Government departments, publications and social leaders. We at Harvesto will not rest until every farmer across the world has access to affordable, fast, and accurate soil testing facility at their doorstep.
If you too wish to associate with Harvesto's mission of serving farmers, or want to start your own private soil testing lab, or want to learn more about the Soil Health Card mission, feel free to write to us on info@harvestogroup.com. You can speak with us on call or WhatsApp on +91-9999566860. You can check Harvesto Soil Lab product page for more information about Harvesto Soil Lab and see how it can benefit farmers in your region and also help your organisation grow in the agriculture sector.
Comments