Gujarat: To increase farmers’ income and promote sustainable agriculture, the Gujarat government has issued over 2.19 crore Soil Health Cards across the state. According to the CM Office, agriculture has always been central to Gujarat’s overall development, and this initiative aims to enhance soil fertility, reduce overuse of chemical fertilizers, and support balanced farming practices.
The Soil Health Card program, first launched in 2003-04 by then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi under the slogan “Healthy Soil, Green Fields”, made Gujarat the first state in India to implement such a comprehensive soil testing initiative.
Scientific Soil Testing and Guidance for Farmers
Under the scheme, soil samples from farmers’ fields are scientifically tested in accredited laboratories. The reports include analysis of 12 key soil elements: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Organic Carbon (OC), Sulfur (S), Boron (B), and Manganese (Mn).
Farmers receive free guidance on the balanced use of fertilizers, helping them reduce costs, improve crop yield, and maintain soil health.
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Widespread Impact Across Gujarat
- 90 lakh farmers benefited in the first and second phases of the program.
- Since 2016-17, over 1.25 crore farmers have received Soil Health Cards.
- In 2024-25, more than 6.23 lakh soil samples were collected and analyzed.
- Currently, 19 government labs and 26 private labs are operational across the state to support testing and reporting.
Doubling Farmers’ Income Through Sustainable Practices
The Gujarat government’s initiative reflects its commitment to:
- Enhancing soil fertility
- Reducing farming costs
- Increasing agricultural productivity
- Supporting the vision of doubling farmers’ income
By providing scientific analysis and practical recommendations, the program helps farmers adopt modern, sustainable, and cost-effective agricultural practices, strengthening Gujarat’s position as a leader in progressive farming.
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