PM Modi launches scheme to prevent soil deterioration

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a nationwide scheme to help farmers prevent soil deterioration through balanced use of fertilisers and application of right nutrients.

Launching the scheme at a rally in Rajasthan’s Suratgarh town, Modi described agriculture as the key to poverty eradication.

Under the scheme, christened Soil Health Card, farmers across the country will be provided help in scientifically monitoring the condition of soil at their farms at regular intervals. "The card will carry crop wise recommendations of nutrients/fertilisers required for farms, making it possible for farmers to improve productivity by using appropriate inputs," the government had said in statement earlier.

About 14 crore cards are envisaged to be issued over the next three years. Earlier, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had said that his ministry has formulated a plan to provide 3 crore cards to farmers in 2015, followed by 5.50 crore cards the next year and remaining 5.50 crore in 2017.

Calling for soil testing to be made a regular feature, the prime minister said a new class of entrepreneurs could set up soil testing labs even in small towns. Modi also spoke of the importance of water. He said excess and scarcity of water were both dangerous, and therefore, the key to good agriculture was "boond-boond paani". Modi said he has asked each state to come up with agriculture plans under the aegis of the NITI Aayog. The soil health card will be renewed at an year interval of three years. A budget for this scheme is being made available to the state governments. The first installment has already been sent to states, so as to enable them to arrange necessary material for collection of soil samples, said the agriculture minister.