Soil Health Card — Free Soil Testing for Farmers

What is Soil Health Card Scheme?

Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme is the Government of India's programme under the Ministry of Agriculture to provide every farmer a free soil health card — a printed report showing the nutrient status of their soil along with specific fertilizer recommendations for different crops.

The goal: Stop over-application or under-application of fertilizers, reduce input costs, and improve yields through precise nutrition management.

What Information is on a Soil Health Card?

A Soil Health Card reports 12 soil parameters:

Based on these, the card gives crop-specific fertilizer recommendations — which fertilizers to use, how much, and when.

Who is Eligible?

• All farmers in India with agricultural land
• No income limit
• Soil testing is provided free of cost for all farmers

How to Get a Soil Health Card

Option 1: Through State Agriculture Department (Most Common)

• Soil collection is done by soil testers (trained VLW/agriculture staff) who come to your field
• Contact your State Agriculture Department or nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
• Soil samples are collected from your field (100 grams from 6-inch depth)
• Tested at the nearest Soil Testing Laboratory (STL)
• Card issued within 2–4 weeks

Option 2: Apply Online

1. Go to soilhealth.dac.gov.in
2. Click "Apply for SHC" (check if your state's online module is active)
3. Enter farmer details and land information
4. A field visit will be arranged for soil sample collection

Option 3: At KVK / Agriculture Office

• Visit your nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or Block Agriculture office
• Request soil testing
• Take your own soil sample in a plastic bag (follow the sample collection method)
• Submit for testing

How to Read Your Soil Health Card

• Green column = Sufficient — no need to add this nutrient
• Yellow column = Medium — add moderate amounts
• Red column = Deficient — must add this nutrient

The card's fertilizer recommendation section tells exactly how many bags of urea/DAP/MOP/micronutrients to use per acre for your specific crop.

Soil Health Card Validity

The Soil Health Card is valid for 3 years — every 3 years, a fresh soil test should be done as soil nutrition changes with each crop cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the soil test completely free?

Yes — the soil test and the Soil Health Card are provided free of charge to all farmers under the central scheme.

My Soil Health Card shows zinc deficiency. What should I do?

Apply zinc sulphate as recommended on the card (typically 5–10 kg/acre for basal application). Your local agriculture officer or KVK can advise on the best product available in your area.

How many soil samples can I get tested?

Typically one sample per 2.5 acres (1 hectare) of land. If your farm has multiple soil types (different plots), each plot ideally needs a separate sample.

The recommendations on my card don't match what my dealer suggests. Whom to trust?

Trust the Soil Health Card — it's based on actual scientific testing of your soil. Dealer suggestions are sometimes driven by sales targets. The SHC recommendation will save you money and improve yield.

Official Links

• SHC portal: soilhealth.dac.gov.in
• Ministry of Agriculture: agricoop.nic.in
• KVK locator: kvk.icar.gov.in
• Soil Testing Lab locator: Listed state-wise at soilhealth.dac.gov.in