Soil Health Card Scheme – Farming Guide

What is Soil Health Card Scheme?

Soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture and to produce any crop or grow plants. The Government of India launched the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme in February 2015 to improve soil productivity. They also aimed to ensure balanced nutrient use and reduce input costs. The scheme provides farmers with a personalized Soil Health Card once every two years. This card contains the nutrient status of their soil. It also provides crop-wise fertilizer recommendations.

By 2025, the scheme has become one of the largest farm-level soil monitoring programs in the world, covering millions of farm holdings across all states and UTs.

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Objectives of the Soil Health Card Scheme

• To assess the physical, chemical, and biological health of soil.
• To promote balanced and judicious use of fertilizers.
• To reduce the cost of cultivation through scientific nutrient management.
• To increase agricultural productivity sustainably.
• To create a national database on soil fertility for planning and research.
• To encourage adoption of organic manures, compost, green manuring, and soil amendments.

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What is a Soil Health Card?

A Soil Health Card is an official report that provides:

• Soil nutrient levels: N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B, etc.
• Soil properties: pH, EC, Organic Carbon (OC).
• Micro-nutrient availability.
• Recommended crop-wise fertilizer dose.
• Corrective measures for soil improvement.

It is given to each individual farmer for each landholding.

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Key Components of the SHC Scheme

Soil Sample Collection

• Samples are collected in a grid-based approach (2.5 ha for irrigated fields, 10 ha for rainfed).
• Around 15–20 sub-samples are taken from a field and mixed to create a composite sample.

Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs)

• Mobile and static STLs are used to test samples.
• Labs test 12–14 essential parameters depending on state requirements.
• States have increased STL capacity through public and private participation.

Issuance of Soil Health Cards

• Based on test results, a digital SHC is generated through the national portal:
  soilhealth.dac.gov.in
• Cards are distributed physically and digitally to farmers.

Fertilizer & Soil Amendment Recommendations

• Crop-wise recommendations help farmers use:
  • Correct type of fertilizer
  • Correct quantity
  • Correct timing (basal & top dressing)

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Parameters Shown in a Soil Health Card

Category	Parameters Included
Physical Properties	Texture, Structure (in some regions)
Chemical Properties	pH, EC, Organic Carbon (OC), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S)
Micronutrients	Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B)
Others (State-specific)	Gypsum requirement, Lime requirement, micronutrient mixtures

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Benefits of the Soil Health Card Scheme

Improved Soil Fertility

Balanced fertilizer application restores soil nutrient balance, reducing problems like nutrient mining and soil acidification.

Reduced Fertilizer Cost

Many farmers reduced excess urea usage by up to 10–20%, saving input cost.

Increased Crop Productivity

Studies show 5–25% yield improvement when SHC recommendations are followed.

Enhanced Environmental Sustainability

• Reduced chemical overuse.
• Lower nitrogen runoff and groundwater contamination.
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Better Farm Income

Lower input cost + higher productivity = better net returns.

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Implementation Progress (Till 2025)

• Over 22 crore Soil Health Cards issued in two cycles.
• Strengthening of Soil Testing Labs across all districts.
• Promotion of customized fertilizers, nano-fertilizers & bio-fertilizers.
• SHC portal integrated with GIS-based Soil Fertility Mapping.
• Many states linked SHC data with:
  • Fertilizer distribution centers
  • Farmer advisory services
  • Agriculture extension systems

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Role of Technology in SHC (2025 Snapshot)

• Mobile-based soil testing devices for faster sampling.
• GPS-enabled sampling points ensure accuracy.
• AI-based advisory for personalized fertilizer plans.
• Integration with PM-Kisan, AgriStack, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

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Farmer Advisory & Demonstration Activities

Under the scheme, states conduct:

• Front-line demonstrations (FLDs)
• Soil health awareness campaigns
• Farmer trainings on:
  • Organic manures
  • Vermicompost
  • Green manures
  • Integrated nutrient management (INM)

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Challenges in Implementation

• Lack of timely sample collection in difficult terrains.
• Manual lab capacity constraints.
• Awareness gaps among farmers about using SHC.
• Need for more trained manpower & digital literacy.

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Future Vision (Beyond 2025)

• 100% digital Soil Health Cards via mobile app.
• AI-based nutrient advisory with real-time weather data.
• Expansion of micro-nutrient testing across all blocks.
• Soil carbon mapping for climate-smart agriculture.
• Integration with drone-based nutrient application systems.

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Conclusion

The Soil Health Card Scheme is a landmark initiative empowering farmers with scientific knowledge of their soil. The scheme promotes balanced fertilizer use. It also focus on sustainable nutrient management. As a result, it contributes to improving productivity, reducing cultivation costs, and ensuring long-term soil health.

As agriculture moves towards modernization, SHC will play a central role in precision farming, resource optimization, and sustainable agriculture for India.