SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME SOUTH DISTRICT Raj Yadav- IAS District Collector, South Sikkim

Why This Exercise- Objectives Complete the Soil Health Card Scheme in one year Issue soil health cards every three years to provide basis for addressing nutrient deficiencies Strengthen functioning of Soil Testing Labs(STLs) Diagnose soil fertility related issues for uniform sampling across the south district Develop and promote crop based nutrient management for south district Build capacities of departmental staff and progressive farmers

Expectations from exercise- outcome Promotion of balanced and judicious use of plant nutrients Promotion of integrated nutrient system Increased productivity of selected crops Increased demand for organic sources of plant fertilizers (Biofertilizers, Vermicompost, organic manure etc.) Improved soil health

Sample collection- Methodology In irrigated areas sampling to be done from 2.5 Ha grids - in Rainfed areas sampling to be done from 10 Ha grid Ideal time – between harvest of one crop and sowing of next crop Sampling depth – 0 to 15cm Use of GPS during sampling

Soil Analysis After Collection of sample Test was done to analysis of soil health. Analysis to be completed within 3 weeks of receipt of samples Standard procedures to be followed for various parameters viz. pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC) available major nutrient N,P, K, secondary nutrient S and micro- nutrients

Strategy STATE SOUTH 47 GPUs 25 GPUs Phase I Phase II 22 GPUs

Collection and Analysis Strategy Activity Who 3-4 Field Staff in each GPUFor Sampling and surveying Soil Testing Lab, Namthang for Online data entry and analysis of major nutrients Outsourced to Sikkim University For Analysis of Micro nutrients Monitoring District Joint Directors STL in charge STL,Gangtok Additional Director (INM-HQ)

Resources for execution of project Department used field functionaries from the South district. GIS Consultant was hired to provide consultancy and GIS solution. Part of online registration outsourced to complete work on time. GPS equipment purchased to Geo-tag the soil samples. Computer hardware & Chemicals are procured

Training of Functionaries Orientation cum GIS/GPS training conducted for field staff. Staff of laboratories was trained for composite sampling and testing of major nutrients The officers with experience of more then 3 years supervised the work. Data operator trained in in Data Base Management System (DBMS)

Soil sample collection photos on the field

SOIL TESTING LAB, NAMTHANG, SOUTH SIKKIM

Measures taken to complete sample analysis in time Standard questionnaire developed for farmers details collection Field functionaries catalyze to work overtime on the field The office time reschedule from 9am to 5 pm Online registration of the farmers outsourced Help of Panchayats were taken

Involvement of farmers - Awareness The orientation cum training conducted for field functionaries. Field functionaries carried out awareness in the villages FM, All India Radio, local news and local cable paper used to broadcast the importance of scheme and collection schedule for soil samples. Hat Bazar, Official function, Sports event, Honorable Chief Minister public address, Area MLAs public address and Gram Sabhas occasion were used to spread awareness. Soil health day celebration at different blocks

Soil heath day celebration 5 th December 2015

Innovative measures GIS and GPS technology was extensively used for the implementation of the scheme. The Survey of India (SoI) Toposheet used to generate the grid map. 10 hectare Grid was generated using GIS Software GPU maps generated to work on the field. Soil sample collected from each household farm as per the norms. Special questionnaire to collect farmer’s details Composite sample labeled with unique ID and tested in the lab for the report.

10 Ha Grid Unique ID GRID MAP

COMPOSITE SOIL SAMPLING PROCESS (GIS LAB) Composite Soil Sample for testing Soil samples 10 Ha Grid

Soil Sample points Super imposed on 10 ha grid map Soil sample points

Software generated information Avg. time 6:45 am

Out come 2569 Grids completed Household completed Special Organic fertilizer recommendation given in consultation with NCOF, Ghaziabad, UP Farmers will be provided the information on the nutrient status of their farms and adopt better input management. Field functionaries exposed to technology like GIS, GPS and IT. Soil nutrient map of Sikkim will be generated Grids completed Household completed 3. Special Organic fertilizer recommendation given in consultation with NCOF, Ghaziabad, UP. 4. Farmers will be provided the information on the nutrient status of their farms and adopt better input management. 5. Field functionaries exposed to technology like GIS, GPS and IT. 6. Soil nutrient map of Sikkim will be generated.

Challenges and Issues Lack of facilities for micro-nutrient analysis Shortage of skilled manpower. and Hilly topography affecting the sampling process. Slow Internet facility due to hilly terrain.

Suggestions for improvement Off line option should be made available for hilly areas so that data can be uploaded later when the internet connectivity is available. There should be option to upload farmer details in excel file in bulk to save time. Online registration Application(App) based mobile platform should be developed. Develop standard questionnaire for farmers details

Thank you