How To Make A Card For Soil Health?

The Soil Health Card Portal is a web and smartphone-based application developed for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, to facilitate the generation of Soil Health Cards (SHC). The card provides farmers with information on their soil’s nutrient status and recommends appropriate dosages for improving soil quality. The card evaluates soil health based on its characteristics, water, plant, and other biological properties.

Farmers can obtain the soil health card by visiting the government’s website using their phone number or registration number. The scheme works by collecting samples from state governments through the Department of Agriculture. Financial assistance is provided to set up village-level soil testing labs for up to 3000 samples per annum under the Soil Health and Fertility of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) from 2023-24.

To register for the Soil Health Card, farmers need to provide details of their soil samples and log in using their phone number or registration number. The card should contain information on the farmer, land (altitude, longitude, latitude), soil type, various soil health tests, and other relevant information. If available, the website will have a registration process for farmers to create an account and apply for a soil health card.

The soil health card lists 10 tests and provides space for farmers to rate their own soils after carrying out the tests. By regularly testing and maintaining the soil health, farmers can monitor and improve their soil quality.

How to calculate soil health?

Soil health indicators are often studied through the stability of soil aggregates, which are clusters of sand, silt, and clay particles bound by plant and microbial compounds. A healthier soil generally has good aggregate stability and a more active microbial community. A wet aggregate stability test is used to test the stability of these aggregates. The soil samples are placed in a handmade sieve with a mesh size of 0. 05 mm, and the dry soil is submerged in water for 10 minutes.

If the aggregates are stable, most of them are kept in the colander, allowing only particles smaller than the mesh to pass through. If a significant amount of soil is lost through the mesh, it indicates a higher risk of erosion. An example of soil aggregate stability test is shown in a video comparing bare soil and soil planted with Brachiaria humidicola.

How to check soil test report?

Soil test reports include both macronutrients and micronutrients, with their respective saturations expressed in parts per million (ppm). Nitrogen is tested exclusively in the nitrate (NO3) form, and the total pounds of nitrogen in the soil can be determined by multiplying the ppm number by 0. 3 per inch of soil sample depth. For example, 0. 3 multiplied by 8 equals 2. 4.

How many soil health cards are distributed in India?

The Indian government has implemented Soil Health Management and Soil Health Card Schemes since 2014-15, providing farmers with information on their soil’s nutrient status and recommending appropriate nutrient dosages for improved soil health and productivity. With 23. 58 crore soil health cards distributed, these schemes have been merged into the Soil Health and Fertility component of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Guidelines for implementing activities have been issued to farmers, and trainings and demonstrations are conducted to raise awareness about the judicious use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and bio-fertilizers.

Since 2014-15, 8272 Soil Testing Labs have been established across the country, with 1068 static, 163 mobile, 6376 mini, and 665 village level labs. State-wise details of these labs are provided below.

What are the 5 steps of soil sampling?

To obtain a reliable soil sample, follow these five steps:

1. Choose an area of 1 sample per 4ha.
2. Allow at least 3 months between the last fertilizer application and taking a sample.
3. Use the right equipment, such as a soil sample box, a proper soil corer, a colored LPIS map, and a pen, to collect and record the samples.
4. Take a “W” shaped path across the sampling plot, avoiding areas around gateways and muddy areas.
5. The correct depth for sampling is 10cm. These steps will help you get a clear picture of your farm’s lime, P, and K needs.

How to check soil health?

Soil health is crucial for farm operations, as it produces food and performs essential ecosystem services. Dr. Felicity Crotty, a soil scientist at Royal Agricultural University, emphasizes the importance of soil life and its ability to function. Tests such as infiltration, slake, teabag index, visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS), drop shatter test, standard soil test, and Fera Big Soil Community Test can help assess soil health. In the UK, four million hectares are at risk of compaction and two million hectares of erosion, emphasizing the need to consider both above and below the ground.

How can I get health card online in Karnataka?

In order to enroll in the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka Scheme, it is necessary to possess an Aadhaar card number, which is captured on a biometric device and subsequently authenticated with the CIDR Aadhaar Server. This process enables the automatic completion of e-KYC details.

Can I test my soil myself?

Home soil pH testing kits are comprised of vials, tablets, and a chart for the purpose of soil pH testing. The use of testing meters facilitates the straightforward measurement of soil pH, in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

What is the soil health card in Nepal?

The government is preparing to issue soil health cards to farmers in Kathmandu, India, to test the soil’s quality, identify crops that can yield maximum yields in specific soil conditions, and recommend appropriate fertilisers for different soil types. The cards will be issued annually, and farmers will be advised on the types of crops that can be grown on their farmlands and the appropriate amount of chemical fertilisers to improve productivity. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Chakra Pani Khanal, stated that farmers will be given advice on the best crops to grow on their farmlands.

How to collect soil sample?

The process involves dividing a field into homogenous units based on visual observation and farmer experience. Surface litter is removed at the sampling spot, and an auger is driven to a plough depth of 15 cm to draw soil samples. At least 10 to 15 samples are collected from each sampling unit and placed in a bucket or tray. If an auger is not available, a ‘V’ shaped cut is made to a depth of 15 cm in the sampling spot.

The samples are mixed thoroughly and removed from foreign materials, and the bulk is reduced to half to one kilogram by quartering or compartmentalization. This process involves dividing the sample into four equal parts, discarding the two opposite quarters, and remixing the remaining two quarters until the desired sample size is obtained. Compartmentalization involves spreading the soil over a clean hard surface and dividing into smaller compartments.

The sample is collected in a clean cloth or polythene bag, labeled with information such as the farmer’s name, location, survey number, previous crop grown, present crop, crop to be grown in the next season, date of collection, and the name of the sampler. The samples are collected starting from the bottom most horizon, mixing and transferring to a polythene or cloth bag.

What is the soil health card scheme in Karnataka?

The Soil Health Card Scheme will provide farmers with a soil health card that includes recommendations for crop planting, an assessment of soil content, and guidance on fertilizer usage for each crop. This will assist farmers in optimizing their land, increasing their output, and ensuring the health of their soil.

How to get soil tested in India?

KRIBHCO provides farmers with free Soil Health Cards through soil testing, including pH and EC, at its Krishi Pramarsh Kendra in Noida. The modern lab can test 5000 samples per annum, and results and recommendations are sent to farmers via email and regularly uploaded on the KRIBHCO website. The Soil Health Cards, which include pH and EC values, are sent to farmers through field officers and farmers, benefiting them by using balanced fertilizers in crops. KRIBHCO has tested 5. 40 Lakh soil samples from 16 states up to March 2024.