Understanding soil condition is a critically important part of crop management for farmers. The Soil Health Card (SHC) program is an initiative of the Government of India, implemented through the agricultural departments of states and territories, including Uttar Pradesh. Under this program, farmers are provided with information on the nutrient content in their soil, as well as recommendations for fertilizers and measures necessary to improve the soil.
The soil health card analyzes 12 soil parameters. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and boron, as well as pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon.
Based on the analysis results, the card indicates the types and quantities of fertilizers and soil conditioners required for that farmer's land.
Soil samples are usually collected by trained personnel at a depth of 15–20 centimeters directly in the field. Samples are collected from different parts of the field according to established procedures, mixed, and sent to the laboratory for testing.
Within this program, sampling grids have been defined: 2.5 hectares for irrigated areas and 10 hectares for rainfed areas. Soil analysis can be conducted not only in government soil testing laboratories but also in authorized institutions such as ICAR institutes, agricultural research centers, and state agricultural universities.
The soil health card helps farmers make decisions regarding fertilizer use based on the nutritional status of their soil. The goal of the program is to promote balanced nutrient management, more efficient fertilizer use, and long-term maintenance of soil health.
Typically, the soil health card is issued once every three-year cycle. This allows tracking changes in soil nutrient status over different periods. For farmers in Uttar Pradesh, this program provides a basis for soil-based nutrient management, offering information for fertilizer application and better land management according to field needs.