1. Issues on Soil Health Card Scheme

2. Present Status State Govt. Fertiliser Companies SAU (OUAT)
27 static and 11 MSTLs
Fertiliser Companies
2 static and 1 MSTL
SAU (OUAT)
1 Central Lab and 9 mini labs with KVKs
Annual analysis capacity : 3.65 lakh samples

3. Capacity utilisation: 95% System of health card generation: On-line
Fertility Map up to GP level (major nutrients) : Updated every 3 years
Secondary & Micro-nutrient map: Prepared up to GP level
Soil Testing fees for farmers:
Major nutrients – Rs.5/- per sample
Secondary nutrients – Rs.10/- per nutrient per sample
Micro-nutrient – Rs.25/- per nutrient per sample

4. Upcoming Projects Establishment of 34 mini STLs at block level
3 static STLs at district level
3 MSTLs

5. Selection of Districts
Seven districts selected for the first year with a target to collect 1,86,485 samples.
District Target
Ganjam
Mayurbhanj
Bargarh
Balasore
Kalahandi
Koraput
Keonjhar
TOTAL 1,86,485

6. Total samples in 3 years
Total State target for 3 years is 10,54,410 estimation based on land holding size under irrigated (in a grid of 2.5 ha) and rain-fed areas (in a grid of 10 ha)
Total samples in irrigated land – 7,92,290
Total samples in rain-fed land – 2,62,120

7. Agencies to be involved in collection of samples:
Through Field staffs of Agriculture Department.
Through Krushak Sathis.
Agencies to be involved in testing
Through Static soil testing labs of the department.
Through MSTLs of the department
Static & Mobile Laboratories of Fertiliser Companies
Outsourcing of labs, involvement of private agencies, nominating Science colleges-
under process

8. Provision of funds (lakh Rs)
Component
Released by GoI
State share
Total provision
Soil Testing
Training of Soil Chemists
3.15
1.05
4.20
Capacity Building
Farmers Training
0.90
0.30
1.20
Training of Line staff
1.35
0.45
1.80
ICT including GPS
9.70
3.23
12.93
Mission Management
0.79
0.263
1.053
TOTAL
80.23
26.74
106.97

9. Training
Training to Soil Chemists for analysis and field staff for collection of samples will be done by OUAT as stipulated in the guideline of GoI.
Funds of Rs.3.00 lakh has been allocated for the purpose out of which C.S is 2.25 lakh.
7 such Trainings for Soil chemists will be organised for 7 districts
Similarly 5 trainings for Line staffs & 5 Farmers Trainings will also be organised

10. Soil Health Card Generation
Soil Health Card Generation system in the State is “Ón-Line”
The SHC contains analysis results for pH,EC Org C/ Av N; P, K, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu & B
Recommendations regarding use of Soil Ameliorant , Dosage of Fertiliser to be Applied based on Soil Test Results are provided to the farmers for 3 crops of their choice

11. Steps are being taken up for Registration of willing Farmers to adopt balanced fertiliser application based on Soil Test Result
State will join the national mainstream of uniform Soil Health Card Generation

12. Issues relating to “Soil Health Cards”
Collection of samples:
Simultaneous sample collection to be done for which more GPS instruments are required – At least 10 nos. per lab.
Transport mechanism to be devised for carrying samples from field to lab.
Necessity of cloth bag and metallic seal ?

13. Analysis
May not be possible to cover all parameters for all samples e.g. all 11 elements with texture and lime/ gypsum requirement.
May not be possible to analyse Available N for all samples
Difficulty in adhering to 21 days time line- i.e from the date of receipt of sample to dispatch of results. Very often samples will be received in bulk in which case maintaining time line would be difficult. Moreover, the sample collected prior to onset of monsoon would help in running the laboratories during rainy season when sample collection is not possible.
Collection of testing fees- In our case as per existing fee structure Rs 140/- would have to be charged for taking up the analysis. Farmers may not be interested to pay such higher cost.

14. Test check by External Agency- With manpower limitation SAUs may not be interested to take up such an assignment. Selection of Third Party would be difficult & will require substantial analysis charges. Mission Management may not be adequate to cover up such expenses
Software time line- This may take some time. Till that period the generation & distribution of Soil Health Cards will not be possible.

15. Suggestions
Capacity building of field functionaries for collection of samples using GPS.
Large scale publicity for awareness generation among farmers.
GPS data to be downloaded at block level, not at STLs.
Yardstick to be fixed up for analysis of secondary and micro nutrients:
Level of deficiency
No. of samples to be analysed
Involvement of State in development of software.