Jun 17 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Govt plans `soil health cards' for all farmers
Vishwa Mohan
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New Delhi:
TNN
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New Delhi: Seeking to spur agricultural growth, the Centre will soon launch a comprehensive plan to provide `Soil Health Card' to all farmers across the country .The card will carry cropwise recommendations of nutrients/fertilizers required for farms, making it possible for farmers to improve productivity by wisely using inputs.
A computerized system will be developed allowing local agriculture science centres to keep details of `soil test' results. Soil samples will be collected even from small farms in remote villages. The system will, eventually , allow farmers to download the health card using `unique number' allotted to each soil sample. This way , any change in ownership of the particular farm land will not create any problem in getting such cards or getting it updated.
Though a few states including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Haryana had successfully distributed such cards a couple of years ago, most states did not make it operational be agricultural universities. The Centre's fresh move will make it universal. “Providing `Soil Health Card' to all farmers across the country is our priority. We are working out the details, studying best practices being followed by different states,“ agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said. He said the move will help farmers in identifying “health of the soil“ which will go a long way in improving productivity through judicious use of fertilizers and water.
Since collecting `soil samples' and uploading/updating the test results will be a mammoth exercise, the Centre may write to states urging them to culture universities. Officials here do not rule out the possi bility of linking the final de gree of agriculture students with their work in fields like helping `Krishi Vigyan Ken dra' officials in sample collec tion and periodic update.
All soil samples will be tested in various testing labs across the country . Thereafter, experts will analyze strengths and weaknesses (micro-nutri ents deficiency) of the soil and suggest measures. The result and suggestion will be displ ayed in the cards. Singh said the soil card and irrigation facility for all villages would be two major components of NDA's agriculture policy .
A computerized system will be developed allowing local agriculture science centres to keep details of `soil test' results. Soil samples will be collected even from small farms in remote villages. The system will, eventually , allow farmers to download the health card using `unique number' allotted to each soil sample. This way , any change in ownership of the particular farm land will not create any problem in getting such cards or getting it updated.
Though a few states including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Haryana had successfully distributed such cards a couple of years ago, most states did not make it operational be agricultural universities. The Centre's fresh move will make it universal. “Providing `Soil Health Card' to all farmers across the country is our priority. We are working out the details, studying best practices being followed by different states,“ agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said. He said the move will help farmers in identifying “health of the soil“ which will go a long way in improving productivity through judicious use of fertilizers and water.
Since collecting `soil samples' and uploading/updating the test results will be a mammoth exercise, the Centre may write to states urging them to culture universities. Officials here do not rule out the possi bility of linking the final de gree of agriculture students with their work in fields like helping `Krishi Vigyan Ken dra' officials in sample collec tion and periodic update.
All soil samples will be tested in various testing labs across the country . Thereafter, experts will analyze strengths and weaknesses (micro-nutri ents deficiency) of the soil and suggest measures. The result and suggestion will be displ ayed in the cards. Singh said the soil card and irrigation facility for all villages would be two major components of NDA's agriculture policy .
