Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Improvement of Soil Health
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 165

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE   3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL HEALTH

- *165.    SHRI NAND KUMAR SINGH CHAUHAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start a programme to improve soil health for increasing the production capacity of the farms;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any guidelines have been issued to the farmers from time to time regarding soil health; and
- (d) whether proper training has been imparted to the farmers regarding appropriate use of fertilizers for improving the quality of soil and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

(SHRI NARENDRA  SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 165   DUE FOR REPLY ON 3 RD  MARCH, 2020.

(a) & (b):       Government has been implementing Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme since 2015 to  provide  soil  health  cards  to  all  farmers  across  the  country  once  in  a  cycle  of  2  years.  Soil Health  Card  provides  information  to  farmers  on  nutrient  status  of  their  soil  along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its  fertility.  In  cycle-1(2015-17),  10.74  crore  and  in  cycle-2  (2017-19),  11.74  crore  SHCs  were distributed to the farmers. During 2019-20, a pilot project 'Development of Model Villages' has been initiated in 6954 villages( one village/ revenue block)  where individual farm holding based sample  collection  with  farmer's  participation  is  ensured  along  with  awareness  campaign  and demonstration of application of fertilizers as per prescription of SHC.

(c): Government is encouraging soil test based judicious application of inorganic and organic fertilizers to sustain good soil health for higher productivity. In this regard advisories are issued to farmers from time to time.

(d): Under  Soil  Health  Card  (SHC)  scheme,  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  State governments as follows:

-  Training of farmers @ Rs. 24,000/- per training for 2 days with 30 or more participants. So far, 1946 farmer trainings have been sanctioned to States.
-  Organizing  field  demonstration  @  Rs.  2,500/-  per  ha  demonstration.  So  far,  5.50  lakh demonstrations have been sanctioned to States.
-  Organizing farmer melas / campaigns @ Rs. 1.00 lakh per farmer mela / campaign. So far, 7425 farmer melas / campaigns have been sanctioned to States.

The  SHC  is  also  an  activity  of  Krishi  Kalyan  Abhiyan  (KKA)  implemented  in  112 Aspirational districts.

In  addition  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  also  impart  training,  organizes front line demonstrations to educate farmers on this aspect.

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