The Soil Health Card Scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19, 2015, in Suratgarh, Rajasthan, has completed a decade of empowering Indian farmers with scientific soil management practices. This program has significantly improved agricultural productivity by offering farmers detailed insights into their soil health and advising them on appropriate nutrient applications.
Under the scheme, Soil Health Cards are issued to farmers, detailing the nutrient status of their soil based on 12 parameters, including macronutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and Sulfur (S), as well as micronutrients such as Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Boron (Bo). Additionally, factors like pH level, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Organic Carbon (OC) are also assessed. By offering precise recommendations, the scheme has helped in reducing the indiscriminate use of fertilizers and improving soil fertility.
To ensure a streamlined and standardized approach, the government developed the Soil Health Card Portal, accessible in multiple major languages and dialects. The portal has enhanced the efficiency of the scheme, allowing farmers to easily access soil health data and expert recommendations.
In a further effort to decentralize soil testing, guidelines for establishing Village Level Soil Testing Labs (VLSTLs) were introduced in June 2023. These labs can be set up by rural youth, community-based entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), schools, and agricultural universities. As of February 2025, a total of 665 such labs have been established across 17 states, significantly expanding soil testing facilities in remote areas.
The scheme has also extended its reach to educational institutions through the School Soil Health Programme, a pilot initiative in collaboration with the Department of School Education & Literacy, ICAR, and state governments. Initially launched in 20 schools, this program has now expanded to 1,020 schools, with 1,000 soil testing labs in place and over 1.25 lakh students actively involved. This initiative has fostered awareness about soil health from an early stage, encouraging scientific thinking among students.
In 2022-23, the Soil Health Card scheme was integrated into the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) under the 'Soil Health & Fertility' component. Additionally, technological advancements such as a mobile application with GIS integration and QR code-linked soil sample tracking were introduced in 2023 to improve efficiency.
Over the past decade, the Soil Health Card Scheme has significantly contributed to sustainable farming by equipping farmers with scientific tools to maintain soil health, ensuring long-term agricultural productivity.
