Lok Sabha Question No. 140 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Soil Health and Balanced Fertilizer Usage
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Mahendra Singh Solanky, Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 140

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE

*140. SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY: DR. BHOLA SINGH

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  recent  assessment  to  determine  the extent of imbalance in fertiliser use across States and its impact on soil health in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in Dewas and ShajapurLok Sabha constituency, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  latest  measures  being  implemented  to  promote  balanced  fertiliser  application, including through Soil Health Cards or other advisory systems in the region;
- (c) whether any new initiatives have been launched to reduce excessive fertiliser usage and  improve  nutrient  management  practices  in  the  Dewas  and  ShajapurLok  Sabha constituencies, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of any pilot projects or reviews undertaken to link fertiliser subsidies with soil health-based recommendations in the region; and
- (e) whether any district-level pilot projects demonstrations or soil health assessments have been undertaken, State and district-wise including Rajasthan and Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान  कʞाण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING 'SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE'

(a) & (b): No  such  assessment  has  been  undertaken  by  Government  to  determine  the extent  of  imbalance in fertilizer  use  across  states  and  its  impact  on  Soil  health  in  Madhya Pradesh particularly in Dewas and Shajapur constituency. However, Government promotes judicious  use  of  fertilizer  through  Soil  Health  &  Fertility  scheme.  The  schemeis  being implemented  since  2014-15  to  provide  Soil  Health  Cards  (SHCs)  for  all  farm  holdings,  to promote  balanced  and  integrated  nutrient  management  for  improving  productivity  and  soil fertility. Soil samples are processed as per standard procedures and analyzed for parameters such  as  pH,  Electrical  Conductivity,  Organic  Carbon,  available  Nitrogen,  Phosphorus, Potassium,  Sulphur,  and  micronutrients  (Zinc,  Copper,  Iron,  Manganese  &  Boron).  The diagnostic soil health assessment of farmer fields is taken up periodically so as to issue SHCs at least once in 3 years.

Since 2014-15, 25.61 crore Soil Health Cards have been generated/ distributed as on date across the country. Under the scheme, Rs. 1970 Crore fund has been released so far since  inception.  93781  farmer's  trainings,  6.80  lakh  demonstrations,  7425  farmer's  melas/ campaigns on soil health card recommendations have been organized across the country. In Dewas, total 5970 SHCs have been distributed and 39 training/seminar/KisanMela organized on  balanced  use  of  fertilizer  during  2025-26.  Similarly,  in  Shajapur,  10,828  SHCs  have distributed and 21 training/seminar/KisanMela organized on balanced use of fertilizer during 2025-26.

National  Productivity  Council  (NPC),  New  Delhi  carried  out  a  study  'Soil  Testing Infrastructure for Faster Delivery of SHC in India' in 2017 in 76 districts of 19 States including Madhya Pradesh covering 170 soil testing labs and 1700 farmers. As a result of application of fertilizer and micronutrients as per SHC recommendations, there has been a decrease of use of chemical fertilizer application in the range of 8-10% was found. Overall 5-6% increase in the yield of crops was reported, due to application of fertilizer and micronutrients as per SHC.

An impact study of Soil Health & Fertility Scheme (November 2017) was conducted by National  Institute  of  Agricultural  Extension  Management  (MANAGE),  Hyderabad.  As  per report, about 62.8% of the farmers use fertilizers according to the recommendations on the SHC.  The cost per acre reduced by 4 to 10 % due to low fertilizer use. Crop yields increased for majority of the crops, although moderately. Overall, paddy farmers reduced use of urea by

9%, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP)/Single Super Phosphate by 7%, but increased use of Potassium by 20%. There was substantial decline in fertilizer use especially urea and DAP in paddy and cotton resulted in decreased cost of cultivation per unit area.

(c):     The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has informed a pilot project on e-tokenbased fertilizer distribution system has been initiatedin the districts of Shajahpur, Vidisha and Jabalpur from 01.10.2025. The aim of this pilot project is to  ensure timely, transparent and efficient supply of fertilizers to farmers. Under this system, farmers register through Agristack and receive e-tokens specifying the date and quantity of fertilizer they can lift. Sellers provide fertilizer only after scanning the token through a mobile app, ensuring accuracy and preventing misuse. Stock availability at rake points, wholesalers, cooperatives and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies is updated  online for real-time monitoring. District officials oversee implementation, while awareness is spread through SMS and media. This initiative streamlines distribution and significantly improves farmer convenience and transparency.

(d): Government of Madhya Pradesh has informed that no such pilot projects or reviews have been undertaken to link fertiliser subsidies with soil health-based recommendations in the region.

(e): Under Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, soil health assessment is undertaken regularly through generation of SHCs. This year during 2025-26, so far 55.64 lakh SHCs have been generated across the country including Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. State-wise details are at Annexure-I .  Out  of  these,  11,55,156  SHCs  have  been  generated  in  Uttar  Pradesh  and 3,23,952 SHCs have been generated in Rajasthan. In Bulandshahr, 24,400 SHCs have been generated. Details of district wise generation of SHCs during 2024-25 in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are at Annexure-II and III respectively.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (e) OF THE OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING 'SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE'

Annexure-I

State -wise details of Soil Health Card generation during 2025-26 (as on 04.12.2025)

| State             |   Soil Health Card Generated |
|-------------------|------------------------------|
| ANDAMAN & NICOBAR |                         1731 |
| ANDHRA PRADESH    |                       400790 |
| ARUNACHAL PRADESH |                        12969 |
| ASSAM             |                       111430 |
| BIHAR             |                       176125 |
| CHHATTISGARH      |                       210670 |
| GOA               |                         4579 |
| GUJARAT           |                       302166 |
| HARYANA           |                       221400 |
| HIMACHAL PRADESH  |                        47889 |
| JAMMU &KASHMIR    |                        57615 |
| JHARKHAND         |                       137233 |
| KARNATAKA         |                       211559 |
| KERALA            |                        41706 |
| LADAKH            |                            0 |
| MADHYA PRADESH    |                       715595 |
| MAHARASHTRA       |                       439535 |
| MANIPUR           |                            3 |
| MEGHALAYA         |                         4550 |
| MIZORAM           |                         1375 |
| NAGALAND          |                        78665 |
| ODISHA            |                       163745 |
| PUDUCHERRY        |                          600 |
| PUNJAB            |                       142616 |
| RAJASTHAN         |                       323878 |
| SIKKIM            |                        11586 |
| TAMIL NADU        |                       282131 |
| TELANGANA         |                        71818 |
| TRIPURA           |                         8738 |
| UTTAR PRADESH     |                      1155146 |
| UTTARAKHAND       |                        41768 |
| WEST BENGAL       |                       184916 |
| Total             |                      5564527 |

(Source- Soil Health Card portal of Govt. of India)

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (e) OF THE OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING 'SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE'

(Annexure-II)

District  -wise  details  of  Soil  Health  Card  generation  during  2025-26  (as  on  04.12.2025)  in Rajasthan

| Districts of Rajasthan   |   SHC generated |
|--------------------------|-----------------|
| AJMER                    |            4627 |
| Beawar                   |            3805 |
| JAIPUR                   |           32345 |
| DAUSA                    |           14685 |
| TONK                     |           13066 |
| BANSWARA                 |            3328 |
| DUNGARPUR                |            2968 |
| PRATAPGARH               |            2973 |
| UDAIPUR                  |            4303 |
| Salumbar                 |            3283 |
| BARAN                    |            5551 |
| BUNDI                    |            9899 |
| JHALAWAR                 |            8283 |
| KOTA                     |            8234 |
| Balotra                  |            2361 |
| JODHPUR                  |           13594 |
| Phalodi                  |               0 |
| BHARATPUR                |            9113 |
| Deeg                     |            4086 |
| ALWAR                    |           10298 |
| Kotputli-Behror          |            4013 |
| Khairthal-Tijara         |            3558 |
| DHOLPUR                  |            6701 |
| KARAULI                  |            6999 |
| SAWAI MADHOPUR           |           17322 |
| BHILWARA                 |            6835 |
| CHITTORGARH              |           13157 |
| RAJSAMAND                |            9243 |
| PALI                     |            7476 |
| SIROHI                   |            3726 |
| JALORE                   |            3815 |
| JHUNJHUNU                |           11609 |
| NAGAUR                   |            6342 |

| DidwanaKuchaman   |   3333 |
|-------------------|--------|
| SIKAR             |   6133 |
| BIKANER           |   8404 |
| CHURU             |  15879 |
| JAISALMER         |   7102 |
| HANUMANGARH       |  14526 |
| GANGANAGAR        |   7832 |
| BARMER            |   1963 |
| Jodhpur Gramin    |    900 |
| Jaipur Gramin     |    232 |
| Gangapurcity      |     31 |
| Shahpura          |      0 |
| Kekri             |      0 |
| Neem Ka Thana     |     19 |
| Total             | 323952 |

(Source- Soil Health Card portal of Govt. of India)

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (e) OF THE OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025  REGARDING 'SOIL HEALTH AND BALANCED FERTILIZER USAGE'

Annexure-III

District -wise details of Soil Health Card generation during 2025-26 (as on 04.12.2025) in Uttar Pradesh

| Districts of Uttar Pradesh   |   SHCs generated |
|------------------------------|------------------|
| SAHARANPUR                   |            15400 |
| MUZAFFARNAGAR                |            12880 |
| SHAMLI                       |             7101 |
| MEERUT                       |            18087 |
| BAGHPAT                      |             8430 |
| BULANDSHAHR                  |            24400 |
| GHAZIABAD                    |             5700 |
| GAUTAM BUDDHA NAGAR          |             2840 |
| HAPUR                        |             5500 |
| HATHRAS                      |            10500 |
| Kasganj                      |             9830 |
| AGRA                         |            20950 |
| MATHURA                      |            13988 |
| FIROZABAD                    |            12550 |
| MAINPURI                     |            12600 |
| BAREILLY                     |            21012 |
| BUDAUN                       |            21000 |
| SHAHJAHANPUR                 |            21000 |
| ALIGARH                      |            16787 |
| ETAH                         |            11200 |
| MORADABAD                    |            11200 |
| AMROHA                       |             8400 |
| RAMPUR                       |             8400 |
| SAMBHAL                      |            11200 |
| FARRUKHABAD                  |             9800 |
| KANNAUJ                      |            11204 |
| ETAWAH                       |            12300 |
| AURAIYA                      |             9802 |
| KANPUR NAGAR                 |            14000 |
| KANPUR DEHAT                 |            14300 |
| FATEHPUR                     |            18208 |
| PRAYAGRAJ                    |            32293 |
| KAUSHAMBI                    |            11211 |
| PRATAPGARH                   |            23796 |

| JHANSI            |   9586 |
|-------------------|--------|
| LALITPUR          |   8400 |
| JALAUN            |  12400 |
| HAMIRPUR          |  10800 |
| MAHOBA            |   5600 |
| BANDA             |  11223 |
| CHITRAKOOT        |   6932 |
| VARANASI          |  11150 |
| CHANDAULI         |  12550 |
| GHAZIPUR          |  22400 |
| JAUNPUR           |  29403 |
| MIRZAPUR          |  16901 |
| SONBHADRA         |  14000 |
| BHADOHI           |   8400 |
| AZAMGARH          |  30736 |
| MAU               |  12590 |
| BALLIA            |  19147 |
| GORAKHPUR         |  27368 |
| MAHARAJGANJ       |  16800 |
| DEORIA            |  22398 |
| KUSHI NAGAR       |  19800 |
| BASTI             |  19665 |
| SIDDHARTH NAGAR   |  19806 |
| SANT KABEER NAGAR |  12400 |
| LUCKNOW           |  11300 |
| UNNAO             |  21800 |
| RAE BARELI        |  25200 |
| SITAPUR           |  27099 |
| HARDOI            |  26500 |
| KHERI             |  21000 |
| AYODHYA           |  15435 |
| AMBEDKAR NAGAR    |  12600 |
| SULTANPUR         |  19601 |
| BARABANKI         |  21000 |
| Amethi            |  18497 |
| GONDA             |  22400 |
| BALRAMPUR         |  12600 |
| BAHRAICH          |  19500 |
| SHRAVASTI         |   7000 |
| BIJNOR            |  15500 |
| PILIBHIT          |   9800 |

(Source- Soil Health Card portal of Govt. of India) *******