Soil Health Card Scheme: A Decade of Empowering Farmers and Cultivating Sustainable Agriculture.

Soil Health Card Scheme: A Decade of Empowering Farmers and Cultivating Sustainable Agriculture

New Delhi – Marking ten years of transformative impact, India's Soil Health Card scheme was lauded at a recent program organized by Ram Janaki Sansthan Positive Broadcasting House (RJS PBH) in association with Sarvahitkari Welfare Foundation for revolutionizing agricultural practices and fostering sustainability. Agricultural experts, government officials, and progressive farmers convened to reflect on the scheme's decade-long journey, highlighting its pivotal role in equipping farmers with essential soil health knowledge, promoting balanced fertilization, and driving the adoption of eco-friendly farming methods across the nation. Speakers at the event emphasized that the scheme, launched on February 19, 2015, has been instrumental in enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing input costs, and paving the way for a more resilient and environmentally conscious agricultural sector.

Dr. Chandra Bhan Singh, Ex-Senior Scientist at ICAR-IARI Pusa Institute and Former Joint Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, underscored the critical need for the Soil Health Card scheme in the face of evolving agricultural challenges. “Soil Health Card Day… is needed for sustainable and organic… sustainable and organic integrated livelihood,” Dr. Singh stated, emphasizing the scheme's foundational role in promoting a holistic approach to agriculture. He elaborated on the scheme's objective to combat soil degradation caused by indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, aiming to secure “polluted free soil, polluted free water, and air,” essential elements for both environmental and agricultural sustainability. Dr. Singh highlighted that the scheme aligns with the broader vision of “sustainable agriculture,” which he defined as a system that ensures good quality and high yields while minimizing environmental impact on soil and the ecosystem, ultimately improving the economic condition of farmers.

Dr. J. P. S. Dabas, former Principal Scientist at ICAR-IARI Pusa Institute, detailed the practical benefits of the Soil Health Card for farmers. “Soil Health Card is very necessary because unless the farmer knows about his soil, he won't know which crop to plant, how much fertilizer to use, how to use it, and how to get production,” Dr. Dabas explained. He emphasized that the card serves as a vital tool, providing farmers with crucial insights into their soil's nutrient composition, pH levels, and other key parameters. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions regarding fertilizer application, crop diversification, and appropriate soil management techniques. By facilitating precise nutrient management, the Soil Health Card helps farmers optimize resource utilization, significantly reduce expenditure on unnecessary chemical inputs, and enhance overall crop yields, generations of farmers, consumers, and environmental stewards.

The RJS PBH program also paid tribute to two iconic figures in Indian history, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, drawing parallels between their legacies of national service and the contemporary imperative of ensuring agricultural sustainability.  The program commenced with commemorations of Shivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary and Gopal Krishna Gokhale's death anniversary, recognizing their distinct yet equally significant contributions to India's nation-building.  Speakers invoked the values of courage, vision, justice, and inclusivity embodied by these leaders, linking them to the present-day need for dedicated action towards building a prosperous and sustainable India, with a focus on responsible agricultural practices.  The program effectively wove together historical reflection and contemporary agricultural challenges, emphasizing a unifying theme of national responsibility and the importance of safeguarding natural resources for future generations, mirroring the dedication of past leaders to the nation's well-being.

Concluding the program, experts reiterated that while the Soil Health Card scheme has achieved significant milestones in its first decade, continuous efforts are essential to further enhance its impact and address evolving agricultural challenges.  Sustained focus on farmer outreach, capacity building, and technological advancements in soil health management are crucial to ensure the long-term health and productivity of India's agricultural lands.  The Soil Health Card scheme, speakers affirmed, remains a cornerstone of India's journey towards a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous agricultural sector, promising continued progress in empowering farmers and cultivating a healthier future for Indian agriculture