Soil Health Card Scheme: Apply online & key Benefits

The Indian government has started multiple initiatives to support modern and sustainable farming practices, and the Soil Health Card is one of them. Through this, farmers can gain detailed reports on the health of their soil and take appropriate measures. 

If you have no idea about what the Soil Health Card scheme is and how you can apply, check out this blog. 

What is the Soil Health Card Scheme?

The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme is a flagship program launched by the Government of India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2015. This scheme aims to help farmers to accurately assess the nutrient status of farmland and issue a “Soil Health Card,” based on the soil’s condition. 

With this card, farmers get: 

• Information about the nutrient content and physical properties of the soil. 

• Customized recommendations for fertilizers and soil amendments are needed to improve the soil's health. 

Features of the Soil Health Card Scheme

The SHC scheme is built on several key features to ensure it is effective and farmer-centric:

• The soil is tested for 12 key parameters, such as nitrogen, sulfur, boron, iron, copper, and many more. 

• A soil health card is issued to farmers once every three years, allowing them to track the condition of the soil regularly. 

• Soil samples are collected from a grid using GPS technology. 

• The entire scheme is free of cost. 

What is a Soil Health Card?

A soil health card is a digitized or printed report card featuring the details of the nutrient conditions of the soil. You can call it a medical report for the soil.  

Other than the status of the nutrient conditions of the soil, the Soil Health Card also features two sets of recommendations, such as fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment recommendations. 

How Does the Soil Health Card Scheme Work?

The Soil Health Card scheme operates through a systematic process. 

• A trained official visits the farmer’s field and collects the soil samples from different locations, using the GPS tools. 

• The collected sample is then sent to an authorized Soil Testing Laboratory (STL) in the district. 

• The lab technicians examine the collected sample of the 12 nutrient parameters. 

• The test’s results are uploaded to the national Soil Health Card portal. 

• The portal’s software analyzes the results and automatically generates a Soil Health Card, featuring all the recommendations. 

• The printed card is delivered to the farmers via a local agriculture officer. Those who are using the SHC mobile app can get the card digitally. 

Who Can Apply for the SHC Scheme?

The Soil Health Card Scheme is open to every Indian farmer and landholder.  Every farmer who wants to assess the condition of their land’s soil can apply for this scheme.

However, it’s crucial to have the Agri Stack Farmer ID, Aadhar number, and a working mobile number for applying for this scheme. 

How to Apply for the Soil Health Card Online?

Applying for the Soil Health Card online is an easy process. 

1. Visit the official Soil Health Card portal: https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/. 

2. Click on the ‘User Registration’ option and enter details such as user type, email address, and password. 

 

3. Provide details such as user type, state, district, and authority to proceed. 

4. Enter personal details such as name, phone number, email, and address. 

Click on submit, and this registration is completed. The entered details will be submitted to the higher authority, and once all the information is verified, you will get a message: “Your account creation request has been submitted.” 

What are the benefits of the Soil Health Card Scheme?

The benefits of the Soil Health Card are direct and significant. 

• It helps farmers to reduce the cost of cultivation, as they get to learn about the right amount of fertilizers needed. They can avoid overspending on unnecessary nutrients. 

• When farmers use balanced nutrients in the soil, it leads to healthier plants, improved resilience, and significantly higher crop yields. 

• By preventing farmers from using excessive amounts of chemicals, this scheme promotes sustainable farming. 

• As this scheme provides scientific data about their land’s nutrient condition, it avoids the guesswork and promotes precise and knowledge-based farming. 

Conclusion

The Soil Health Card Scheme is a revolutionary step in Indian agriculture. It is more than just a scheme; it’s a way to make the farmers aware of their most valuable asset, their soil. It’s paving the way for a more productive, profitable, and agricultural future in India. 

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