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Soil health card: An overview

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 Chapter - 4
Soil Health Card: An Overview

Authors
Jitendra Singh
Assistant Professor, School of Agriculture Uttaranchal
University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Archana Negi
Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture Science, TMU,
Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Rohit
SRF-All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland
Agriculture, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh,
India

Page | 43
Page | 44
 Chapter - 4
Soil Health Card: An Overview
Jitendra Singh, Archana Negi and Rohit

Abstract
Food security in today’s scenario is in its alarming situation and will
remain a worldwide concern for the next 50 years and beyond. According to
the World Bank projections, world’s population will reach 7.5 billion by
2020. The consequences of increasing population are well known to us since
we are living in a country where there is high absolute increase in the
number of people. As there is no much scope for expansion of agricultural
land, therefore all the necessary increase in food has to come from the area
already under cultivation. This can only be possible through introducing
agricultural system and improved technologies that can increase productivity
contributing not only to more food but also to more income to farm family.
Over a period of time, several new challenges draw attention to food
security. One such improved technology is soil health card. Soil health card
is useful in maintaing the soil fertility and plant nutrient supply at an
optimum level for sustaining the desired productivity through optimization
of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological
components in an integrated manner.
Keywords: soil health card, fertilizers recommendatios, soil health, balance
fertilization
Introduction
India has used intensive agriculture for massive growth in food grain
production powered by improved varieties of seeds, application of fertilizers
and assured irrigation. The existing NPK consumption ratio in the country is
skewed at 8.2:3.2:1 as against the preferred ratio of 4:2:1. A great variability
has been observed in fertiliser consumption among States from 250 kg/ha in
Punjab, 212 kg/ha in Bihar, 207 kg/ha in Haryana to 4.8 kg/ha in Nagaland
and 2 kg/ha in Arunachal Pradesh in nutrient form during 2012-13. Then
also deficiency of primary nutrients (i.e. NPK), secondary nutrients (S), and
micronutrients (B, Zn, Cu, etc) occurs in most parts of country due to
imbalanced application of fertilizers.

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 Soil health and fertility is the basis for sustainable profitability of the
farmers and the first step towards sustainable farming is following the
optimal doses of fertilizers and cropping pattern as per the scientific
recommendations. Soil testing is used for the judicious use of fertilizers,
which works on the principle of profitability, i.e if all the factors of
production are at optimum level and none of them are limiting, there is more
profitable response to applied nutrients based on soil testing than those
applied on adhoc basis. It is a science based and time tested tool for the
assessment of soil fertility status and a pre-requisite for obtaining soil health
card.
The soil health card (SHC) is a complete evaluation of the quality of soil
right from its functional characteristics to water and nutrients content and
other biological properties. It includes corrective measures that a farmer
should adopt to obtain a better yield. The SHC helps the farmers as to get
crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilizers required in each type
of soil, by a well monitored report about the soil and are guided by experts to
improve soil health leading to increased crop yield.
Government of India has launched soil health card scheme is 19,
Feburary, 2015 to issue soil health card to the farmers under the scheme. it
carries crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilisers required for
the individual farms to help farmers to improve crop productivity through
judicious use of inputs. For getting this information all soil samples are to be
tested in various soil testing labs across the country. Thereafter the experts
will analyse the strength and weaknesses (micro-nutrients deficiency) of the
soil and suggest measures to deal with it. The result and suggestion will be
displayed in the cards. The government plans to issue the cards to 14 crore
farmers.
Soil Health Card contains the status of soils with respect to 12
parameters, namely-N, P, K (Macro-nutrients), S (Secondary-nutrients), Zn,
Fe, Cu, Mn, B (Micro-nutrients) and pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic
Carbon (Physical Parameters). It not only provide the status but also
provides crop wise fertiliser recommendations. Soil Health Card helps
farmers to improve productivity by maintaining soil health. SHC also
promotes the judicious use of the fertilisers thus reducing the cost of
cultivation.

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Scheme objectives
Objectives of scheme Soil Health Card are as follows:
i. To issue soil health card to all the farmers of the country every 3
years, So as to provide all the information regarding nutrient
deficiencies in fertilization practices
ii. To strengthen the functioning of Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs)
through capacity building, involvement of agriculture students and
effective linkage with Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR)/State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)
iii. To diagnose constraints related to soil fertility with standaridized
sampling procedures uniformly acroos the states. Analysing and
designing block level fertilizer recommendations in targeted
districts
iv. To develop and encourage soil test based nutrient management in
the area for enhancing nutrient use efficiency
v. To build capacities of area level staff and of progressive farmers for
promotion of nutrient management practices
Soil testing programme
Soil testing programme was started in India in the year 1955-56 with the
setting up of 16 Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) under "Determination of
Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Use" programme. The soil testing laboratories are
generally used to analyze pH, texture, electrical conductivity, organic carbon
(as an index of available N), and available P and K of the soil. The
government of India has financially supported the process of setting up of
more and more soil testing laboratories. In 2012-13, the soil analyzing
capacity in the country was 128.31 lakh soil samples per annum. The soil
testing facility is provided by State Governments to the farmers free of cost
or with some nominal fee. In view of the critical role played by soil testing in
ensuring balanced and efficient use of fertilizers, states have been advised
from time to time to enhance and improve their soil testing programme. The
State Governments has prepared district wise and also block wise fertility
maps. Some states have prepared village level fertility maps too. Some states
have introduced soil testing on a ten hectare grid basis and are issuing soil
health cards, while some state governments have started computerized soil
test data, which the farmers can access online and advisory can be sent
through SMS to their mobile phones. Many states have shown commendable
progress in soil testing programme that are Gujrat, tamilnadu, haryana,
karnataka and Uttarpradesh. They have taken up expansion of testing

Page | 47
facilities, popularized the soil test analysis in a campaign mode, used
information technology in delivering soil nutrient status and appropriate
recommendations to farmers. Although states are doing very good job
regarding soil testing and providing fertilizer recommendation to farmers at
state level but there is no uniform norms followed in the country for soil
analysis and distribution of Soil Health Cards. So, there is also a need to
devise a mechanism to issue soil health cards every 3 years in respect of all
landholdings in order to capture the soil fertility changes occurring due to
plant uptake or other natural causes. More attention is required on the follow
up measures on the soil nutrient deficiencies identified in soil health cards.
Along with soil health cards that diagnose fertility related constraints, small
and marginal farmers need technical support to apply site specific fertilizer
recommendations. Therefore, Soil Health Card Scheme is proposed for
periodic testing of soil and to recommend nutrient management. The scheme
will be implemented in all the States to promote the soil testing services,
issue of Soil Health Cards and development of Nutrient Management
Practices.
Soil sampling
Diagnostic soil health assessment of farmer fields will be taken up
periodically so as to issue health cards at least once in 3 years. Districts and
villages within them will be selected in such a way that an action plan is in
place to cover them every three years.
The State Governments will prepare yearly action plan indicating
number of districts to be covered, number of irrigated holdings and rainfed
holdings in the selected districts, number of soil samples to be drawn from
irrigated holdings and from rain-fed holdings and finally total number of
samples to be drawn and tested.
Agencies that may be involved for sampling
 Agriculture Department staff and soil testing laboratories
 Colleges and students including its soil testing laboratory staff
 State Agriculture Universities and its soil testing staff
Agencies that may be involved in testing
 By outsourcing to private agencies through tender
 By outsourcing soil testing laboratories
 By nominating Science Colleges and providing them equipment
 Directly through soil testing laboratories

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Standards of soil sampling
The quality of soil testing results and fertilizer recommendation depends
upon soil sampling. For this, following scientific norms are prescribed.
Sample should be taken by a grid pattern of 2.5 ha in irrigated areas
while 10 ha in rainfed areas. (Annexure-I).
In irrigated areas, large, medium and semi-medium holdings will be
sampled and tested holdingwise. In case of marginal and small holdings
sampling in a 2.5 ha. Grid will be followed.
In rainfed areas, all the large holdings will be sampled and tested
holding-wise while incase of medium, semi-medium, small & marginal
holdings will be sampled and tested in a 10ha. Grid.
The ideal time for collection of soil samples is between sowing/planting
of other crop, when fields are vacant.
The sampling depth for field crops should be 0 to 15 cm (plough layer).
Sample has to be collected preferably with the help of stainless steel
tube augur, or alternatively with a khurpi/spade or kassi.
A brief training to the soil sampling staff/students/farmers/field
extension machinery would be necessary to ensure collection of
representative soil sample, their labeling and transport to the STLs.
GPS co-ordinates have to be essentially recorded at the time of soil
sampling which will be downloaded in the STLcomputer.
Soil analysis
Soil analysis is a valuable tool for farmers as it determines the input
required for efficient and economic production. The succussful soil analysis
depends on how scientifically the soil samples were drown.
After dawing a proper sample. It should be processed following standard
procedures and analyzed for various parameters namely pH, electrical
conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon available N, P, K, S and micronutrients
(Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn & B).
The soil analysis has to be completed within 3 weeks of receipt of soil
samples in the STL.
After the completion of soil testing and analysis the distribution of soil
health cards is done through post or extension staff.

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 To make it more fast and efficient a more advanced mechanism will be
developed for online delivery of soil health cards to the farmers using
Information and communicaton technologies (ICT).
To conduct a smooth running of this scheme a nodel soil test laboratory
is theses that shall prepare time lines for scheduling the soil health cards in
the district in phases. The year wise coverage of number of taluqas/blocks
may be prepared so that a continuous soil analysis takes place every three
years.
Fertilizer use/management
 Fertilizer recommendations will be developed, on the basis of soil
analysis considering the available infrastructure for the small
holders
 The recommended doses for applications are given after testing the
critical values for delineating deficiency levels
 Soil test based applications for removing deficiencies will be
standardised as a component of agronomic practice for the selected
crops
 Time lines will be determined for nutrient status mapping based on
soil fertility analysis and productivity enhancement through
application of deficient nutrients
 Data will be developed for diagnostic soil analysis and deficient
fields in each district
 The recommended nutrient doses will be prepared for kharif and
rabi crops
 Area wise fertilizer doses will be developed according to soil test
nutrient status for various crops
Random checking of soil analysis for quality improvement
For ensuring the quality of soil analysis, a mechanism is dveloped for
random checking of 1% samples of total analyzed samples by external
agencies. For this purose a team is formed which will jointly monitor,
inspect and evaluate the smooth and proper functioning of soil testing
laboritiories and other concerned agencies pertaining to issue of soil health
cards in the resective districts. The team includes the following members-
Deputy Director of Agriculture (Ext.), District Agriculture Officer,
Assistant Director of Agriculture (STL) and a Soil Scientist from SAU/
ICAR.

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 After a proper inspection from the team a joint certificate will be issued
from District Agriculture Officer, Sarpanch and Gram Sevak regarding
satisfactory sample collection work. Also the list of farmers whose soil
sample has been collected will be displayed at gram Panchayat Office.
Soil testing and recommended doses of fertilisers
It is observed from various studies across the country that indiscriminate
use of chemical fertilizers by farmers with a view to increase the crop yield
is a common problem, which has led to deterioration of soil structure,
wastage of nutrients, destruction of soil micro-organisms, and scorching of
plants at the extreme cases. A proper soil test will help ensure the application
of fertilizers to meet the requirements of the crops while taking advantages
of nutrients already present in the soil. In this regard, Government of India
had undertaken initiatives to ameliorate the situation and encourage the
farmers for balanced use of fertilizers. Therefore, an effort was made with
this study to understand the level of awareness on soil testing, and the use of
recommended doses of fertilizers by the farmer.
Source of information about soil testing for soil test farmers
A wide range of information on soil testing is available with sState
Agricultural Universities (SAUs), KVKs, private companies, friends,
neighbours and agricultural departments from which farmer can avail
information on soil testing.
Recommended doses of fertilisers on soil test basis
After testing the farmer’s soil, fertilisers will be recommended to
farmer’s field taking into consideration the nutrient requirement of the crop
and the nutrient already present in the soil. The average quantity of
recommended dose of fertilizers based on soil test report is given. For Paddy
farmers on an average of 63Kg of urea, 53kg of DAP, 51kg of single super
phosphate and 34 kg of potash was recommended for one acre of paddy
crop, which provides around 39 kg of nitrogen, 33 kg of phosphorus and 21
kg of potash. For maize farmers field 83kg of urea, 59 kg of DAP, 35 kg of
single super phosphate and 38kg of potash was recommended per acre in
other terms 49 kg of nitrogen, 32 kg of phosphorus and 23 kg of potash was
recommended.
Application of recommended doses of fertilizers by soil test farmers
Application of recommended fertilizers mentioned on soil health card is
very crucial for sustainable intensification and increasing crop productivity.
The application of recommended fertilizers is influenced by many factors

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like, awareness of farmers about advantages in applying recommended doses
of fertilizers, availability of fertilizers, convenience, sources of purchase of
fertilizers, weather condition and time of fertilizer application etc.
Constraints in application of recommended doses of fertilizers (Soil test
farmers)
During a survey it was observed that most of the soil test farmers were
also not aware of the recommended doses of fertilizer application, as the
SHCs were distributed to them very late. It was also noticed that majority of
farmers were not exlained about the information provided in soil health
cards. This is the major reason why most of the farmers have not kept or
maintained these soil health cards with them. Majority of the farmers are not
willing to continue because of problem occuring during application of
recommended doses of fertilizer. Although these are few farmers who have
adopted the recommended dose of fertilizers.
Application of actual quantity of fertilizers
It has become very important to know the actual doses of fertilizers
applied by the farmers, so as to compare it with recommended doses and
knowing the difference in yield of both the doses. it will become easier for
explaining the farmers for adopting soil health cards scheme. Up to now it
has been noticed that most of the farmers follow the fellow farmers for the
application of fertilizers.
Method of application of fertilizers by sample farmers
The efficiency of fertilizer utilization by crops is mainly influenced by
method of application of fertilizers. The application of fertilizer causes many
changes in the soil, including chemical changes that can positively or
negatively influence it productiveness. Only fraction of the fertilizer applied
to the soil is taken by the crop, the rest either remains in the soil or release to
the atmosphere through chemical and microbiological processes. The critical
information on the relative merits of different method of fertilizer placement
is essential.
Use of organic fertilizers
The use of organic fertilizer is very important from the point of
maintaining soil fertility and sustaining soil texture and structure. It has been
noticed that soil treated only with synthetic chemical fertilizers with loses
organic matter and the all important living organisms that help to build
quality soil. It will decline soil structure and lowering the water holding
capacity and more and more of the chemical fertilizer applied will leach

Page | 52
through the soil. In turn, it will take increasing amounts of chemicals to
stimulate plant growth. The use of organic fertilizer will avoid throwing our
soil into this kind of crisis condition. Some of the past studies also suggested
that use of organic fertilizers along with chemical fertilizers will give
encouraging results in terms of crop yields.
Details of fertilisers purchased by the sample households
Earlier marketing of fertilizer was highly controlled by Govt. regulations
in India through Essential Commodities Act (ECA) and Fertilizer Control
Order (FCO). In distribution government policies dictate the type, quantum
and the area for distribution for each manufacturer. Traditionally, the
cooperatives and Agro-Industries Corporations played significant role but
from 1990's onward private trade has taken to the fertilizer distribution in a
big way because of attractive margins. A few manufacturers have their own
retail outlets also.
Benefits of soil health card scheme
There are many benefits of having a Soil Health Card which farmer
needs to understand:
The soil health card scheme will properly examine the farmer’s soil and
accordingly give them a formatted report so that they can decide upon which
types of crops to be cultivated for more income.
The appointed authorities will regularly monitor the soil and provides a
report to the farmer once in every 3 years. The farmers will also be regularly
updated about their soil data.
The government will also employ professionals to help the farmers in
adopting remedial measures under the scheme.
With the help of Soil Health Card Scheme, the farmers can plan the
future of their crops as well as land.
The government keeps the account on, that the same individual conducts
soil analysis for a farmers to enhance the effectiveness of the scheme.
The SHC gives the farmers a clear idea of which nutrients is lacking in
their soil. Thus, in which crops they should invest.
Farmer’s feedback
Many farmers are unable to understand the content, hence unable to
follow the recommended practices.

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  Numbers of soil samples per unit area are not based on soil
variability
 Lack of Coordination among agricultural extension officers and
farmers
 Microbial activity, moisture retention activity is essential but
missing in SHC
 The soil health card is more focused on chemical nutrient
indicators; among physical and biological properties only soil color
is included
Some important indicators
i) cropping history
ii) water resources (soil moisture)
iii) slope of soil
iv) depth of soil
v) color of soil
vi) soil texture (bulk density)
vii) Micro-biological activity etc. are not included
 Inadequate soil testing infrastructure
Practical issues and steps to improve the facilities
 In India, most of the laboratories are still adoting single extractants
for individual estimation of nutrients like P, K & S. it is very time
and resource consuming and is very tedious for labours
 Availability of qualified passionate, dedicated manpower to work in
Labs is a challenge. Manpower having specific qualification,
aptitude and passion shall be allotted this job to obtain desirable
results
 Manpower should be trained with incentirized operations and
should be motivated to enhance their work efficiency
 Most of the laboratories are situated in rural and semi-urban areas,
where problem of inconsistent power suply and working
environment generally occurs
 In order to have un-interrupted operations, alternative power
sources like generator, battery back-up will be useful. Instruments
which can work with chargeable battery as well as power sources
should be used

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  Semiautomatic/manually operable equipment should be used that
can be serviced locally and have less power dependancy, instead of
fully automated equipment that have no control on operator.
Instrument used should be more rugged, reliable and be able to
perform under abnormal working conditions
 Introduce and application of new method of soil testing is important
 There is a need to update recommendation with the current
knowledge based on sound agronomic, research. Various Models
like as DSS (decision support system) should be widely used to
make optimum fertilizer recommendations doses
 Networking and frequent up gradation of soil test information in
public domain will help implementing new ways and means of
fertilization practices, site-specific nutrient management options at
large scale
 Soil testing is a reliable method but time consuming and slow
method
 Automation in operation from sample registrations to test results
data entry till generation of test reports will save time considerably
for routine operations
 Linking of soil health cards, issue of soil passbooks, linking them to
fertilizer subsides, green manure seeds, organic manure and also
provides only the fertilizers needed for crop in his field and avoids
excess use of fertilizers
Conclusion
Soil testing is a great tool to assess soil fertility and nutrient supplying
capacity. The most crucial step in the whole programme is timely reporting
of soil test results to farmers. Speed and reliability of operation is also most
important. Appropriate systems and processes should be in place for
effective implement of the scheme and to get desired results. Instead of
planning the training for soil samplers/collectors soil and water testing. lab
analysis and soil and water testing lab assistants, The training should be
given to diploma holders, in Agriculture as they already have a preliminary
idea about the subject, its importance and during the slack season their
services could be utilized for other agricultural related activities.Thus, it can
be said that our ‘New India’ is inching closer to the dream of ‘Doubling the
Farmer’s Income’. Soil Health Cards are ushering in the new era of healthy
soil management in the country, especially ending the menace of overuse of
urea or nitrogenous fertilisers.

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References
1. Chander G, Wani SP, Sahrawat KL, Dixit S, Venkateswarlu B, Rajesh C
et al. Soil test-based nutrient balancing improved crop productivity and
rural livelihoods: case study from rainfed semi-arid tropics in Andhra
Pradesh, India. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 2014;
60(8):1051-1066.
2. FAO. Greening Agriculture in India- An Overview of Opportunities.
Report, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations,
Rome, 2006.
3. Fishman R, Kishore A, Rothler Y, Ward P. Can Information Help
Reduce Imbalanced Application of Fertilizers in India? Experimental
Evidence from Bihar (No. 235705). Agricultural and Applied
Economics Association, 2016.
4. GoI. Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (Based on IRS
AWiFS data of 2011-13 and 2003-05); Space Applications Centre
Indian Space Research Organisation Department of Space, Government
of India, Ahmedabad, 2016.
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/Desertification_Atla
s_2016.pdf
5. Rajashekar. India’s Soil Crisis, The Economic Times Mumbai; Date: Jul
12, 2011, 7.
6. Reddy V Ratna. Land Degradation in India: Extents, Costs and
Determinants, Economic and Political Weekly, November 1-7, 2003;
XXXVIII:44.
7. Raju KV, Gaur A, Wani SP. Poverty reduction approach in South Asia:
Rejuvenating centuries old water bodies to improve rural livelihoods, A
case of Karnataka state, India, 2015.
8. Ramappa KB, Elumalai Kannan Lavanya BT. Adoption of
recommended doses of fertilisers on soil test basis by farmers in
karnataka. Institute for Social and Economic Change, 2015.
9. Reddy A Amarender. Impact Study of Soil Health Card Scheme, Report,
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE),
Hyderabad-500030, 2017, 210.
10. Reddy B Suresh. Dynamics of soil fertility management practices in
semi-arid regions: a case study of AP. Economic and Political Weekly,
2011, 56-63.

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 Annexure - I

Statement indicating number of soil samples as per land use and class of
holding
No. of soil samples (Million) No. of
Wholly
Net Area Rainfed Average SHCs
Irrigated
Class of sown Area size of holding
Area
holding (Million (Million holding Irrigated rainfed Total wise/class
(Million
Ha.) Ha.) (Ha.) wise
Ha.)
(Million)
Marginal 32 15 17 0.39 6 (15/2.5) 1.7 (17/10) 7.7 93
Small 32 11 21 1.42 4.4 (11/2.5) 2.1 (21/10) 6.5 25
Semi-
34 11 23 2.71 4.0 (11/2.71) 2.3 (23/10) 6.3 14
Medium
Medium 29 10 19 5.76 1.7 (10/5.76) 1.9 (19/10) 3.6 6
Large 14 4 10 17.38 0.2 (5/17.38) 0.5 (10/17.37) 0.7 1
Total 141 51 90 16.3 8.5 24.8 139
Source: Agriculture Census 2010-11 (Phase-II)
Note: Criteria of samples to be taken:
i) Irrigated area-at 2.5 ha grid for marginal and small holdings
ii) Irrigated area-one sample each holding for semi-medium, medium
& large holdings (Irrigated Area/Av. size)
iii) Rainfed area-at 10 ha grid for marginal, small, semi-medium &
medium holdings
iv) Rainfed area-one sample each holding for large holdings (Rainfed
Area/Av. size)

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 Annexure - II

List of equipments for setting up of new soil testing labs

S. No. Instrument Name Item No.
01 pH meter 02
02 EC Meter 02
03 Nitrogen Analyzer 01
04 Distillation unit 01
05 Spectrophotometer 01
06 Flame photometer 01
07 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) 01
08 Water distillation unit 01
09 Shaker 01
10 Water bath 01
11 Oven 01
12 Analytical balance 02
13 Computer with appropriate software 01
14 Miscellaneous equipments as Karl fisher apparatus, GPS etc. 02

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