Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday, June 1, 2026, pledged to launch a dedicated campaign to ensure every farmer in India receives a Soil Health Card, announcing the push under the banner of the #KhetBachaoAbhiyan.

Posting on X, Chouhan wrote: 'Soil Health Card mitti ke swasthya ki jaankari deta hai. Jin kisanon ka mridaswasthya card nahin bana hai, hum abhiyan chalakar banwayenge.' — 'The Soil Health Card provides information about the health of the soil. For farmers who have not yet received a Soil Health Card, we will run a campaign to get them one.'

Context

The Soil Health Card scheme was launched in February 2015 as a central government initiative to equip farmers with detailed soil nutrient status reports. These reports guide balanced fertilizer application, helping farmers reduce input costs and improve crop productivity. The scheme is targeted particularly at small and marginal farmers who often lack access to scientific soil data.

Chouhan's announcement signals that despite over a decade of implementation, coverage gaps remain — and that the ministry intends to address them through a structured outreach campaign rather than passive enrolment.

Policy Backdrop

The Soil Health Card programme has been a cornerstone of India's sustainable agriculture agenda since its inception. By linking soil test results to fertilizer recommendations, the scheme supports both the government's fertilizer subsidy rationalisation goals and broader efforts to reduce soil degradation caused by indiscriminate chemical use.

Successive phases of the programme have sought to expand coverage and integrate soil data with crop planning and input subsidy frameworks. The #KhetBachaoAbhiyan — which translates to 'Save the Farm Campaign' — frames soil health management as an urgent, protective intervention rather than a routine administrative exercise.

Stakeholders and Impact

Small and marginal farmers, who constitute the majority of India's agricultural workforce, stand to benefit most directly from expanded card issuance. Without a Soil Health Card, these farmers often rely on generic or excessive fertilizer use, which raises costs and can degrade soil quality over time.

The campaign also carries implications for the upcoming Kharif sowing season, when timely soil data can directly influence crop selection, input decisions, and yield outcomes. District-level agriculture offices and state governments are expected to be key implementation partners in the drive.

What's Next

The ministry has not yet announced specific coverage targets, district-level rollout timelines, or integration details with existing farmer databases such as the PM-KISAN beneficiary registry. Observers will watch whether the campaign is linked to Kharif 2026 advisories or to forthcoming fertilizer subsidy policy updates.

If the campaign achieves universal coverage, it would mark a significant step toward evidence-based, precision farming at scale — a goal that has eluded successive governments despite years of investment in soil testing infrastructure.