Raja Syed Rather
A total of 7,62,708 soil samples have been tested in Jammu & Kashmir, while 2,298 samples have been tested in Ladakh to date under the Government of India’s Soil Health and Fertility Scheme (SHFS), the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The scheme, aimed at improving soil health and issuing Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to farmers, follows a grid-based soil sampling approach—2.5 hectares in irrigated areas and 10 hectares in rain-fed areas. The SHCs provide farmers with detailed soil analysis, helping them use fertilizers efficiently and maintain soil fertility, a response.
“Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a significant number of soil samples tested, contributing to improved agricultural practices in the region. However, Ladakh has recorded a comparatively lower number of soil tests, indicating the need for expanded soil testing facilities in the cold desert region.”
Meanwhile, the government has approved 25 new mobile soil testing laboratories across five states in 2024-25, but no such sanction has been made for J&K or Ladakh.
The Soil Health and Fertility Scheme continues to be a key initiative in promoting sustainable farming and precision agriculture across the country, with farmers benefiting from scientific soil health management strategies.
