Since, inception of the scheme in 2015, 152.51 lakh Soil Health Cards (SHCs) have been issued to farmers in Tamil Nadu under the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme (as on 30.06.2025).

State Government has informed that SHCs are distributed to farmers including small and marginal farmers as per citizen charter to ensure timely delivery. The advisories are issued to farmers through Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) officials, Krishi Sakhis, & Mobile Soil Testing Laboratory (MSTL) Van Campaigns. In every village, the ATMA officials conduct training under various scheme & advisories about SHC is kept mandatory. The MSTL van visits villages to collect soil samples undertake sample testing, provide soil health card & issue advisories to farmers instantly. Apart from this, in every block, Village Level Agricultural Development Group issues SHC advisories to farmers in Pre Kharif & Pre Rabi season. No major region-specific soil health challenges are faced in implementation of the scheme. However, in some region, pockets of problematic soils had been identified & advisories were given for reclamation of problem soils.

To ensure accuracy in soil testing, the Government of Tamil Nadu has undergone for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) Recognition process. As a result, 36 Static labs have received NABL Recognition certificate. Government has allowed upgradation of the existing soil testing infrastructure with Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS)/ Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer (ICP) under the scheme. Soil Lab registry has been created online on SHC Portal as digital integration. Test results are uploaded on SHC Portal to generate Soil Health card digitally.

This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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RC/ KSR/AR

(Release ID: 2152571)