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Soil Health Card Scheme (SHCS)


Why is it in the news?

  • Soil Health Card Scheme completes 9 Years.

 About Soil Health Card Scheme (SHCS)

  • Launched in 2014-2015 to assist State Governments in issuing Soil Health Cards (SHCs).
  • Promotes Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) by advocating judicious use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and bio-fertilizers to improve soil health and productivity.
  • It is a flagship program of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  • It was integrated into the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) Cafeteria Scheme as the Soil Health & Fertility component in 2022-23.

Functionality of SHC:

  • Provides soil nutrient status to each farmer and advises on fertilizer dosage.
  • Recommends soil amendments for long-term soil health maintenance.
  • Includes information on 12 parameters: Micro-nutrients, Macro-nutrients, Secondary-nutrients, and Physical parameters.
  • Issued to farmers once every 3 years, aiding in reducing production costs.

 

Implementation Strategy

  • Implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all State and Union Territory Governments.
  • Integrated with a Geographic Information System (GIS) system and supported by Village Level Soil Testing Labs (VLSTLs) for efficient implementation.

 

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (2007-08)

·       Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at fostering agricultural development.

·       Ensures inclusive and integrated development of agriculture and allied sectors.

·       From 2022-23, RKVY was restructured into the RKVY Cafeteria Scheme.

·       Merged schemes of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, such as Rainfed Area Development and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, into the RKVY Cafeteria Scheme.

 


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