Over 2.15 Crore Farmers in Gujarat Have Been Issued Soil Health Cards: Government Report
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Synopsis
The Gujarat government has launched various farmer-focused initiatives to improve agricultural productivity, with over 2.15 crore farmers receiving Soil Health Cards, according to recent government data.
Key Takeaways
- Over 2.15 crore farmers in Gujarat have received Soil Health Cards.
- The SHC scheme optimizes fertilizer use and enhances soil fertility.
- Detailed soil analysis reveals 12 key parameters.
- Government labs have a testing capacity of 10,000 to 11,000 samples annually.
- Farmers report improved profitability from the SHC scheme.
Gandhinagar, Feb 18 (NationPress) The government of Gujarat has rolled out multiple farmer-focused initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and enhancing the income of farmers. According to government statistics released on Tuesday, over 2.15 crore farmers in the state have received Soil Health Cards.
A major component of these efforts, the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, has been instrumental in improving fertilizer application, safeguarding soil health, and increasing crop production.
As part of the SHC scheme, soil samples are collected from agricultural lands and analyzed in laboratories to evaluate nutrient content.
The cards offer comprehensive information on 12 essential soil characteristics including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), organic carbon, sulfur, boron, and manganese. Based on these insights, farmers receive tailored recommendations for fertilizer use, allowing them to minimize excessive chemical inputs while preserving soil quality. To facilitate the extensive rollout of the SHC scheme, Gujarat has enhanced its soil testing facilities, according to the data.
Currently, there are 20 government-run soil testing laboratories and one micronutrient testing lab operating under the Agriculture Department.
Each government laboratory can analyze between 10,000 to 11,000 soil samples annually.
Moreover, 27 private soil testing labs have been set up in rural areas with government support, each capable of testing approximately 3,000 samples per year.
As per the SHC portal, during the fiscal year 2023-24, 1,78,634 soil samples were collected in Gujarat, with 1,78,286 samples having been analyzed.
For the Kharif 2024 season, the Union government targeted the testing of 3,81,000 soil samples in Gujarat, a goal that has already been surpassed by the state. To date, 3,82,215 samples have been collected, with over 3,70,000 samples already tested.
In addition, for the Rabi 2025 season, 2,35,426 samples have been collected, with 13,657 analyzed so far.
The analysis of the remaining samples is currently ongoing.
Farmers throughout Gujarat have reported considerable advantages from the SHC scheme.
Babu Patel, a farmer from Dhansura in the Aravalli district, recounted his experience: "The SHC scheme's recommendations on precise fertilizer usage helped me reduce costs while boosting crop production. This has made farming significantly more profitable for me."
